Watford drivers are being warned that the M25 and M1 will be subject to closures later today (Saturday, April 6, 2024).

A huge piece equipment is being taken from the Port of Tilbury in Essex to Millbrook Power Station in Bedfordshire.

It will travel at around walking pace and be escorted by police on its 79-mile journey, with traffic temporarily held.

The route selected for the convoy takes approximately 18 hours to travel, with today's load leaving the Port of Tilbury between 4pm and 4.30pm, and arriving at Millbrook between 10am and midday on Sunday, April 7.

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National Highways are expecting the convoy to pass through Junction 28 of the M25 around 9.30pm to 11pm tonight, and to leave the M25 at Junction 21 to join the M1 at between 3am and 4am tomorrow.

They have put the following road closures in place:

  • M25 between J21a and J19 - closed in both directions between 10pm and 6am, with diversion in place
  • Exit slips from M1 onto M25 at J6a - closed in both directions between 10pm and 6am, with diversion in place
  • Entry slip from A12 onto M25 anti-clockwise at J28 - closed between 8pm and 5am
  • Gallows Corner roundabout on A12 - temporary holding delay of around 30 minutes at approximately 10pm

A National Highways spokesperson said: "Due to the complexity of transporting such a load, we’re expecting this to impact on journeys, so please plan ahead if travelling on the M25 or M1 during this time.

"Thank you to everyone in advance for your patience while we support moving this essential equipment across our road network."

This is the third and final piece of essential equipment to be moved, providing essential equipment for the power station.

The first load, successfully transported on February 24/February 25, weighed around 350 tonnes and was more than 50 metres long. It was followed by a second load on March 23/March 24.

When completed, Millbrook Power Station will be able to generate enough power to provide instant electricity for 150,000 homes.