TRAFFIC ground to a halt around Tilbury this afternoon (Saturday, 9 March) as the transit of a heavy load hit difficulties. 

Following the successful transition from the Port of Tilbury of an exceptional load a couple of weeks ago, another big piece of equipment for Millbrook power station in Bedfordshire was due to leave around 4pm today. 

It was part of a convoy of three large pieces of equipment, that was expected to leave the port between 4pm and 4.30pm and follow an approximately 18-hour route including the M25 and M1 to arrive at Millbrook between 10am and 12 noon tomorrow.

However, the huge transformer hit problems after leaving the port and attempting to negotiate the bridge approaching the roundabout at the end of the Dock Approach Road (A1089).

The load is reported to have shifted and is being made secure. The operation could be delayed by several hours.

Traffic, including vehicles attempting to access and leave the ASDA superstore, was reported to have backed up in all directions because of the problems.

At 6.45pm, with traffic still backed up, it was reported cranes might have to be brought in to re-align the load.

Eventually the load was moved back to the port and the jams dissipated. Police officers who were marshalling traffic were stood down around 7.50pm.