Abnormal Load/Roundabout shortcut on A34

[sagt550]

I was driving up the A34 between junction 15 and 16 of the M6 yesterday and I noticed that nearly all of the roundabouts have a gate that would allow a vehicle to essentially go straight over without having to negotiate the bend.

I assume this is for abnormal loads, but what I couldn't work out was what in particular might need this on this particular stretch of road, and why only going north (there was no such facility on the other side of the carriageway)

I'm sure its probably something pretty mundane, but I had never seen this before and it got me and my brother speculating about all sorts of (highly unlikely) reasons why this facility exists!

[StevoCally]

Possibly for Alstom Power based in Stafford, they construct large transformers and generally bring the town to a halt when moving them with their huge trucks / trailers.

Edit: they look like this
http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/...

Edited by StevoCally on Sunday 2nd October 21:56

[j44esd]

I was led to believe that is for these:

http://www.ale-heavylift.com/

to move these:

http://1stdirectory.co.uk/companies/75580_gec_alst...

But will happily stand corrected if someone else has another theory!

[j44esd]

StevoCally said:

Possibly for Alstom Power based in Stafford, they construct large transformers and generally bring the town to a halt when moving them with their huge trucks / trailers.

Not just me that was told this then.

[andy-xr]

Local ones have that for when the wind farm in the next village went up

[D1ngd0ng]

It's power transformers, there was one parked at the A34/A500 junction during Friday rush hour.