Giant oxygen tank continues to edge its way across Staffordshire
A giant oxygen tank has continued to make its journey across Staffordshire.
The 50-metre long, 6.5-metre high medical-grade oxygen tank was transported around 13 miles from its stopover point in Great Wyrley to just outside Hints, near Tamworth.
The fourth day of the transport of the tank, which is owned by industrial gases company Air Liquide, saw it pass through Walsall, Brownhills, Four Oaks and Shenstone.
As with previous days, there were delays as traffic crawled behind the tank, which weighs 225 tons and can only be moved safely at around 5mph.
Officers from Staffordshire Police Road Policing unit continued to escort the tank, which began its journey from Cheshire on Monday, June 15.
The sheer scale of the task for those transporting the tank could be seen in a video from Brownhills of support crews holding up electrical and telephone wires to allow it to progress.
After passing through Brownhills, officers from West Midlands Police joined the support effort to lead the tank towards Shenstone.
The tank is scheduled to complete its journey just before Junction 9 of the M42, near The Belfry on Friday.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Police are warning motorists of likely delays and diversions as officers help escort a large, medical grade oxygen tank through the county.
"This is the first of four similar pick-ups over the next six weeks and we’ll be working with tree cutters and BT telephone engineers to ensure the load fits under trees and cables throughout the journey."
