UK-based heavy transport and rigging specialist Collett & Sons has successfully delivered a 234-tonne stator from Heysham Port to the Gretna Grid Stability Facility in Scotland. The high-stakes operation involved intricate logistics, police escorts, and precision manoeuvres to ensure the massive component reached its final destination safely.
A Heavyweight Challenge
Measuring 9.1 metres in length, 4.2 metres in width, and 3.9 metres in height, the stator required specialized transport arrangements. Initially loaded onto a 12-row modular flattop trailer at Heysham Port, the Collett team then constructed a 24-axle, 350-tonne capacity Scheuerle girder bridge trailer around the unit for the primary leg of the journey.
Transporting such an oversized load over 92 miles posed logistical hurdles, requiring seamless coordination between Collett, law enforcement, and local authorities.
Police Escorts and Traffic Control
The journey kicked off under the escort of Lancashire Police, with Cumbria Police taking over midway. The transport crew executed several challenging manoeuvres along the route, including temporarily halting motorway traffic to use a contraflow on a slip road, allowing the convoy to bypass a structurally weak bridge.
Despite the size and weight of the load, the team ensured minimal disruption to road users while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Last-Mile Complexity: Switching to an SPMT
At Longtown, just four miles from the final site, the transport team transitioned the stator onto a 16-axle Self-Propelled Modular Trailer (SPMT). This shift allowed for greater flexibility in navigating the narrow roads leading to the facility.
- The SPMT moved at a walking pace for maximum precision.
- To handle tight turns, the SPMT was reconfigured to an 11-axle setup.
- A critical 90-degree turn was executed for final positioning.
Each stage of the process was carefully orchestrated to ensure structural integrity and avoid infrastructure limitations.
A Critical Component for Grid Stability
The delivered stator is a key part of the Gretna site’s 60 Mega Volt Amperes (MVA) synchronous condenser system. The system plays a crucial role in stabilizing Scotland’s electricity grid by providing short-circuit power and inertia support—essential for balancing a network with a high penetration of renewable energy sources.
Collett’s Heavy Haulage Legacy
Founded in 1928, Collett & Sons has grown from a local milk transport business to a major player in heavy haulage and lifting. Headquartered in Halifax, England, the company operates yards in Elland, Bradford, Goole, and Grangemouth, Scotland, with an additional office in Dublin, Ireland. Over the decades, Collett has expanded its expertise to include crane services, heavy lifting, contract lifting, and rigging operations.
With this latest successful transport, Collett continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in complex logistics, ensuring the UK’s energy infrastructure remains resilient and future-ready.
