Collett and Sons Ltd, a leading specialist heavy transport provider, has successfully completed the transportation of a 234Te stator from Heysham Port, to Gretna Grid Stability Facility, Scotland. Collett’s reputation for handling the most demanding transport projects has again been underscored with this project requiring careful planning, expert execution and collaboration with local authorities to ensure a safe and seamless delivery.
The project commenced when Collett received the stator at Heysham Port from a coaster vessel on the quayside. The stator, measuring 9.1m L x 4.2m W x 3.9m H, was initially loaded onto a 12-row modular flattop trailer to shunt within the port for temporary storage. The stools that were used were supplied by Collett earlier this year. To facilitate self-loading, Collett’s 24 axle 350Te capacity Scheuerle girder bridge trailer was built around the stator at the port itself ensuring efficient loading operations.
On 29th June, the stator, along with Collett’s escort fleet and accompanied by Lancashire police, set off from Heysham Port to follow an intricately planned 92-mile route. Halfway along the route, escort duties were taken over by Cumbria police for the remainder of the journey to Longtown. Navigating along the route, due to the combined length and weight of the girder bridge trailer loaded with the cargo, Collett executed several complex manoeuvres and strategic adjustments to ensure the stator’s safe passage and viability of the route. One example is when Collett temporarily stopped motorway traffic to turn the trucks around and contraflow a joining slip road to avoid an upcoming weak bridge structure.
Upon reaching the transition point at Longtown, after a distance of 88 miles, the stator was self-off-loaded onto temporary stools and the girder bridge was demobilised. At this stage a 16-axle Self-Propelled Modular Trailer (SPMT), was driven under the stator to carefully lift it off the stools eliminating the need for a large mobile crane. The SPMT is a specialist trailer that provides 360-degree steering and vertical lifting or lowering of the load shorter distances where route access is limited. This was ideal due to limited access along the route and various structures (bridges) that Collett had the navigate before they reached the site. The load was safely chained down for the final 4-mile leg of the journey to Gretna Grid Stability Facility. The SPMT was driven at a 1mph walking pace, escorted by Cumbria police.
Prior to the commencement, Collett’s projects department appointed dedicated project managers to handle preliminary works. This included applying for police permits, liaising with local councils, and conducting detailed route surveys. To ensure clear passage, tree trimming and the removal of street furniture were carried out along the route. Additionally, a thorough structural report was made to ensure that two bridges on the route, dating back to the late 1800s, could support the combined weight of the SPMT and stator.
Upon arrival at the Gretna Grid Stability Facility, Collett faced the challenge of limited space on-site. To navigate this, the team temporarily off-loaded the stator onto stools and reconfigured the 16-axle SPMT to an 11-axle configuration. This adjustment enabled the trailer to make a 90-degree turn, positioning the stator for unloading inside the building.
Collett’s success in this project was made possible through effective collaboration within the team and community liaison with councils and the police ensuring a smooth execution showcasing their ability to manage high-profile and demanding logistics projects with precision and professionalism.
The Gretna Grid Stability Facility, featuring a 60 MVA synchronous condenser, will enhance grid stability by providing short-circuit and inertia power, as well as reactive power compensation to support distribution networks with a high share of renewable energy. This project, part of National Grid ESO’s Stability Pathfinder plan, helps address the challenges of maintaining grid stability as renewable energy sources replace conventional power generation.
