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Huge 130-tonne transformer will bring Sunday travel disruption to A96 in Aberdeenshire

The previous transformer on the A96 just past Backburn on it's way to Rothienorman. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson.
The previous transformer on the A96 just past Backburn on it's way to Rothienorman. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson.

Motorists are being warned there will be significant travel disruption this weekend on Aberdeenshire roads due to a 130-tonne transformer.

It will be transported from Aberdeen Harbour to the Rothienorman substation by convoy.

Despite being only a 33-mile trip, it is expected to take between three and five hours to complete.

It will begin the journey at 8am on Sunday.

Police will be escorting the special 12-axle specialist vehicle and will be directing motorists to overtake at safe opportunities.

The previous transformer took six hours to make the 33 mile journey. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson.

At the beginning of October, a similar transformer made the same journey.

It will be making its way to the Rothienorman substation via the A96, Aberdeen to Inverness road, and the A920 and B992.

The route of the convoy:

Why is the transformer needed?

The transformer is required for SSEN Transmission’s construction of the ongoing Rothienorman substation project.

The electricity and power company is responsible for the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland.

Working with principal contractor Balfour Beatty, phase two involves upgrading the infrastructure to increase capacity.

Construction of the substation, located around two miles west of Rothienorman, began in 2019 and is part of a wider strategy to reinforce the transmission network in the north-east and east coast of Scotland, as well as to meet net zero goals.

Rotienmorman substation has been under construction since 2019. Image: SSEN.

When the previous transformer was delivered in October, the SSEN transmission project manager Arthur Sinakov said: “The complex delivery has been carefully coordinated by our project teams, working with the specialist haulier, Rawcliffe.

“Also involved is Aberdeenshire Council and Police Scotland, to ensure disruption can be kept to a minimum for the local community and road users in the area.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community in advance for their patience and understanding while we transport these transformers onto their final location in Rothienorman.”

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