A major Suffolk road will be closed for three weekends in October while abnormal loads are escorted through the county. 

These movements will be the largest, combined effort for Suffolk Highways to date, the authority said.

The first will be on Sunday, October 8, with two more set to follow on October 15 and 22. 

The abnormal loads which consist of a 327.5-tonne generator and two turbines weighing 332 tonnes and 221.8 tonnes will leave Ipswich Waterfront at about 6.30am each day and head towards Eye Airfield.

On the day of the transformer movement, highways teams will be leading and following the vehicle to prepare the route, temporarily removing and reinstating street furniture and trimming trees.

A temporary overbridge at Brockford will also be installed to protect the county’s roads and structure.

The closure could be in place for several hours from 12pm – however, Suffolk Highways will be regularly posting updates on its social media accounts.

Other restrictions will also be in place, such as parking and weight limit restrictions, the suspension of any double yellow lines along the route and the closure of B1075 Tomline Road, Ipswich and the St Matthew's Street subway in Ipswich.

Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member responsible for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding Paul West said: “A great deal of careful planning and joint working goes into an operation such as this one.

"I am confident that those involved will ensure the safe and successful delivery of parts on behalf of Drax Group. I want to thank communities that may be affected by this move for their understanding and cooperation.

“Similarly to previous abnormal load moves, we will be providing live location updates throughout the move via Suffolk Highways Twitter account @Suff_highways, for those wanting to plan their journeys to avoid disruption, or to catch a glimpse of the huge structure in transit."

The planned route for the escort is as follows:

  • Exit Ipswich Docks, Cliff Quay 
  • Duke Street to Fore Hamlet
  • Fore Hamlet to Derby Road, travelling along Felixstowe Road
  • Derby Road to Foxhall Road via Tomline Road
  • St Helens Street, St Margarets Street, Crown Street to St Matthews Street roundabout
  • St Matthews Street, Norwich Road to Bury Road/Old Norwich Road junction
  • Old Norwich Road and Old Ipswich Road, Claydon (Bus only section)
  • Travel through Claydon and Barham to A140 Coddenham slip road
  • A140 to Eye Airfield, Progress Power Station

List of closures on A140:

  • A140 Norwich Road, Coddenham (from A14 roundabout to Norwich Road, Creeting St Mary)
  • A140 Norwich Road, Creeting St Mary
  • A140 Norwich Road, Earl Stonham
  • A140 Angel Hill, Earl Stonham
  • A140 Norwich Road, Stonham Aspal
  • A140 Pains Hill, Stonham Parva
  • A140 Turnpike, Stonham Parva
  • A140 Norwich Road, Stonham Parva
  • A140 Norwich Road, Mendlesham
  • A140 Norwich Road, Wetheringsett cum Brockford
  • A140 The Street, Wetheringsett cum Brockford
  • A140 Norwich Road, Thwaite
  • A140 Norwich Road, Stoke Ash
  • A140 Ipswich Road, Stoke Ash
  • A140 Norwich Road, Braiseworth
  • A140 Ipswich Road, Thornham Parva
  • A140 Ipswich Road, Yaxley (from Ipswich Road, Thornham Parva to Castleton Way)