Police Warn Of Delays As Merlin Helicopter Is Transported Across Somerset

Police are alerting motorists to potential disruption today as a Merlin helicopter is transported through Somerset.

Officers will be escorting the "slow-moving abnormal load" from around 10am as it leaves Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil for the Ministry of Defence's Bosconbe Down site in Wiltshire.

Avon and Somerset Police are warning drivers to expect delays and have issued a traffic warning to local motorists.

A statement on Avon and Somerset Police's website said: "On Tuesday morning, 25 August, officers will be escorting the load from Agusta Yeovil to Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, travelling on the A3088, A30, A37, B3151, A303, A345, A3028 and some unclassified roads around Amesbury.

"The load will be leaving Yeovil at about 10am and could take four hours to reach its destination."

The Merlin, as it is known in the UK Armed Forces, is a submarine hunter aircraft used by the Royal Navy.

Cover image: Library photo of a Merlin helicopter (Picture: Royal Navy).