en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK-based Collett & Sons has successfully completed the transport and installation of an 89.9-tonne Hyosung transformer, which has been delivered to National Grid's Bicker Fen substation in Lincolnshire.
The transformer was loaded at the Port of Rotterdam, shipped via roll-on/roll-off vessel to the Port of Immingham, and then transferred to Collett's heavy-lift warehouse in Goole for temporary storage and final pre-delivery preparations. The transport distance from Goole to Bicker Fen substation was 89 miles (143 km), requiring detailed route planning, swept path analysis, and coordination with multiple local authorities. The route encompassed motorways, A-roads, and restricted rural sections, all assessed in advance to ensure safe passage for the oversized load.
A key challenge was encountered at the bridge crossing Hammond Beck in Cowbridge: structural assessment confirmed the bridge's load capacity was only 3 tonnes. To overcome this limitation, Collett deployed a dedicated specialist bridging system, allowing the overweight load to safely pass in transport configuration without imposing full weight on the bridge structure. The bridging system was supported by engineered crane mats designed to withstand loads of 50 tonnes per square metre, used for installation and recovery of system components.
During the final approach, approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of temporary crawler track was laid on site to widen access routes and improve ground conditions. Upon arrival, Collett & Sons used 30-metre-long slide rails to jack and slide the transformer into its designated position, transferring it from the trailer and moving it into place above the foundation, before lowering it to its final installation position using a hydraulic jacking system. Vibration pads and positioning plates were also installed to ensure precise alignment and long-term operational stability.
The project required close coordination among multiple stakeholders, including WSP, which conducted the structural assessment of the Cowbridge bridge, and AECOM, which was involved in the design of the crane mats. Collett also coordinated with local authorities, landowners, and civil engineering contractors throughout the preparation phase.
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