Collett & Sons has succesfully completed the complex delivery of a giant 146TE Yankee Dryer from Ellesmere Port to the new ICT paper manufacturing plant at Northern Gateway in Deeside.
The project began with the lifting of the Yankee Dryer, which measures measures 8.97m long, 5.62m wide and 5.72m high, from its vessel at Ellesmere Port, using an LTM1800D crane. It was then loaded it onto Collett’s 16-axle girder bridge trailer.
The contract with HLI Rail & Rigging saw Collett manage the vessel discharge, transportation on the girder bridge trailer, transhipment onto the SPMT for on-site transport and final positioning.
It also required the night-time transport of the dryer on the M53 motorway. In order to do this the team coordinated with National Highways to remove part of the central reservation barrier and pre-plan a full motorway closure. This allowed Collett’s team to travel to the opposite side of the motorway, contraflow along the slip road and safely exit under controlled conditions.
After an overnight stop at Cheshire Oaks Long Looms Road, the next morning, the convoy, escorted by Cheshire Police, continued along the A5117 and the A550 and into the Deeside Park Industrial Estate to reach the site.
Preliminary works included route planning, surveys and Swept Path Analysis reports. With the loaded trailer height reaching 6.2 m, the original route required re-routing and revised permits due to motorway clearance restrictions.
Route surveys identified areas where overhead cables needed lifting to ensure safe passage, which Collett carried out in close collaboration with SPEN (Scottish Power and Energy Networks) and BT.
Additional measures included tree trimming and the temporary removal or relocation of street furniture to negotiate corners, roundabouts and splitter islands along the route.
Collett’s project manager also worked closely with relevant stakeholders and authorities, including Cheshire Council, Flintshire Council, National Highways and Cheshire Police, to manage traffic, coordinate road closures and maintain safety throughout the operation.
Upon arrival on-site, Collett transhipped the Yankee dryer onto a six-axle SPMT by carefully driving the SPMT underneath it, facilitating self-loading. The girder bridge was then demobilised.
Using the SPMT’s enhanced manoeuvrability, the team carefully navigated the load on-site until inside the facility, where it was precisely lowered onto stools for installation.
Once in place, the SPMT was safely driven out. Installation was carried out using a hydraulic gantry system designed for handling heavy loads in confined spaces.
Despite the challenges of height restrictions, complex re-routing and coordination with multiple authorities, the transport and installation were completed safely, efficiently and on schedule.
The project took 15 months from initial planning to final delivery in June 2025.
Ali Abdallah, Collett & Sons commercial manager, commented: “This was a really exciting project for us. Moving a 6.2m high convoy along tricky routes with height restrictions, motorway closures and tight corners meant the team had to plan everything down to the last detail.
“Working closely with SPEN, BT, National Highways, Cheshire Police and the local councils made all the difference.
“Overall, it was a well-executed move thanks to all stakeholders, authorities, as well as Collett suppliers and team.”
