Heavy transport specialist, Allelys, has recently executed the UK’s first-ever double girder frame convoy while delivering a reactor and transformer to Ninfield. The reactor weighing 150te, and transformer weighing 195te, were transported on specialist girder frames with a total combined transport weight of 667te gross travelling in tandem. The cargo was delivered in three parts: from Stafford to Ellesmere Port, via sea, then Shoreham Port to Ninfield.
The girder frame was built up in Stafford using a 55te mobile crane and the reactor, measuring 10m (l) x 5m (w) and 5m (h), with a total transport length of 68m, was loaded using an overhead crane into the girder frame. The same process was used on a different day to load the transformer, measuring 9.75m (l) x 4m (w) and 5m (h), with a total transport length of 67m.
The first stage of the road transportation was to Ellesmere Port, where one of the units were transhipped onto a 10 axle SPMT using a 200te lift n lock system. The SPMTs, carrying the transformer, and the girder frame, containing the reactor, were then loaded onto the Terra Marique vessel. To decrease the ground loading pressure during the manoeuvre, Allelys utilised load spreading mats and stools.
The next stage involved the sea transportation to Shoreham Port, where the reactor and transformer were removed using ro-ro operations and were temporarily stored.
The final stage of transportation to Ninfield was the most challenging and saw two girder frames used in convoy, one for each of the units, and configured with low set hangers for the reactor. The two trailers reversed out of Shoreham Port in order to navigate a complex turn onto the A259. Once through Brighton joining the A27, the team sought a solution whereby they had to travel southbound on the northbound carriageway, before re-joining the A27 by travelling Eastbound on the Westbound carriageway via contraflow, and finally crossing over to the right direction by removing the central reservation. This was necessary to avoid a structure at Patcham Viaduct on the A23.
The next challenge was crossing the River Ouse with such heavy cargo, by closing the A27 and constructing an overbridge to not exert load into the structure, with 27.5m bridging mats that were positioned using a 500te and 300te crane lifting in tandem.
Finally it was necessary to navigate the tight streets and turns of Polegate Highstreet and Bexhill in order to reach the final destination at Ninfield Substation.
Once on site, Allelys installed both units. The transformer was jacked up off the transport, jacked down onto skates and then skidded 25m into position. Whilst the reactor was transhipped to SPMT, lifted by Allelys 200te lift n lock system and positioned.
“This operation was extremely complex right from the start, involving several transportation stages and requiring a lot of technical operations to negotiate obstacles and structures on route. From convoying two girder frames, travelling contraflow, removing central reservations and installing overbridges. There were many pinch points along the route that the transport team effectively managed. The level of engineering and planning involved was evident through the successful execution of the project,” said Zac Smout, Project Manager at Allelys.
