Great Western Coffee Shop

 A huge 7m-long piece of electrical equipment weighing 131 tonnes will make it's way along the M5 around Bristol this week. It is being moved from from Avonmouth Docks to Melksham substation.

The 4ft high shunt reactor is part of National Grid’s project to upgrade the power network in the local area and ensure reliable and safe electricity supply to communities across England and Wales. A rolling lane and road closure will be in place during the transportation.

The reactor's journey starts at 9.30am on Wednesday (December 6) from Avonmouth Docks, and is expected to arrive in Melksham at 2pm, depending on weather conditions.

National Grid and its delivery partner Allelys have spent months planning the route in liaison with National Highways and the police but there may be some travel delays along the route.

The reactor will follow the following route:

    Exit Avonmouth Docks via Kind Road Avenue
    Merge onto A4 Crowley Way
    Merge onto M5 northbound
    Exit M5 Jct 16 and take slip road to M4
    eastbound
    Exit M4 Jct 17
    Turn right on to A350
    Turn right on to A4 Bath Road
    Turn left on to B3109 Bradford Road
    Turn left on to A365
    Turn left on to B3353 Corsham Road
    Turn right on to Westlands Lane
    Turn right into National Grid Melksham If you are planning on using these roads, we recommend allowing additional journey time or to use an alternative route.