Warning issued to anyone driving on the M6 this weekend

A wide load movement warning has been issued to anyone driving on the M6 through Lancashire and Cumbria this weekend.

A large electricity transformer will be transported from the port of Heysham in Lancashire to Dumfriesshire, starting at 9am on Saturday, September 28 and is expected to be completed by 3pm on Sunday, September 29.

The transformer weighs 186 tonnes, with the combined weight of the transporter and load weighing 375 tonnes, National Highways say.

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Measuring 5.4m in width and 62m in length, it will straddle two lanes of the motorway and be travelling at around 12 mph. Drivers are now being asked to exercise extra patience and care when overtaking in lane three of the motorway.

On the first leg of its journey, the load will travel north on Saturday up the M6 from junction 34 near Lancaster in Lancashire to Tebay Services, just north of junction 38 in Cumbria. The load is expected to arrive at the services at 5pm.

On Sunday, the load will embark on the second and final leg of its long journey, leaving Tebay Services at 7am, travelling to junction 42 at Carlisle for a planned break. It will then move into Scotland, joining the A74M to arrive at the Moffat Substation in Dumfriesshire at 3pm.

Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live updates will be available at www.trafficengland.com.