A POLICE escort of a heavy load could cause congestion throughout the county and along the M4 on Monday morning.

The 4.6 metre-wide steel fabricated structure will travel through Wiltshire with private and police escort vehicles from 11am before arriving at the motorway.

Delays can be expected as it heads along the B3097 to Trowbridge, where it will then join the A350 before travelling onwards through both Melksham and Chippenham to the M4 at Junction 17.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "Due to its size, the load will be both slow moving and have the potential to cause congestion in places where oncoming traffic will be required to pull in and wait for the packet to pass. Traffic travelling behind will not be able to overtake the abnormal load.

"Wherever possible, disruption will be kept to a minimum although both hauliers and motorists are asked to please be patient should they come across this load. Anyone travelling over this period on time critical matters should allow sufficient additional time for their journey.

"Police escorting resources are being provided by officers and paid for by the haulier at no cost to the public."