A Large Load Movement Could Affect Your Journey

9th February 2004 — On Saturday 28th February 2004, a sizeable load is set to leave Air Products' Manufacturing Facility in Acrefair, North Wales, bound for the Ellesmere Port Dock Complex. The load will then set off on its voyage to Huizhou, Guandong Province, People's Republic of China.

The item of equipment to be moved is a Dephlegmator Box, for a length of 36.5 metres, width of 7 meters, height of 6.25 metres and weight of 138 tonnes. The equipment will be used for the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation and Shell Petrochemical Co. Ltd, Nanhai Lower Olefins Plant Project.

Due to leave Acrefair at 8am on Saturday 28th February, the load, travelling by route B, will arrive on the A41 outside Whitchurch around 3pm the same day, where it will remain overnight. The load will leave Whitchurch at 8am on Sunday 29th February, bound for Ellesmere Port Docks, where it is expected to arrive around 3pm.

The slow-moving load will be accompanied by a police escort and motorists are advised to expect some disruption along the route: the movement of the Dephlegmator Box will involve temporary closure of the A483 on Saturday 29th February from approximately 7am-10.30am.

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Note to the Editor:

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in technology, energy, healthcare and industrial markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of products, services and solutions, providing atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials and chemical intermediates. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. With annual revenues of $6.3 billion and operations in over 30 countries, the company's 18,500 employees build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion.

An important employer within the area, Air Products has close to 400 employees spread across sites at Acrefair, Deeside, Runcorn, Ellesmere Port, Crewe and Sandbach. The company continues to invest in local road infrastructures, working closely with Wrexham, Shropshire and Cheshire county councils as well as other statutory authorities. This includes the road routes used to move the loads between Acrefair and Ellesmere Port.

The company has won the Queen's Award for Export Excellence 5 times.