A public meeting has been called by Copeland's mayor to address Whitehaven town centre's parking chaos.

Mike Starkie has announced the meeting in Mirehouse Labour Club, and will invite representatives of Sellafield Ltd, Cumbria County Council and Whitehaven Town Council to attend to answer residents' questions.

A number of other issues are up for discussion at the May 18 meeting, which starts at 6pm. 

Although Mr Starkie said parking is likely to be high on people's agenda.

He said: "I am fully aware of the high level of public discord on this issue and will invite along to the meeting a number of key stakeholders who are working with Copeland Council to address this."

Also on Mr Starkie's agenda will be other Whitehaven-related matters, including the Moorside nuclear power station development - and its associated accommodation and transport links - and the West Cumberland Hospital.

He added: "Our council will do all we can to bring together key stakeholders to try and find solutions that can make a difference and work towards giving the West Cumbrian public what it demands and deserves."

Whitehaven’s car parking situation has been widely described as “chaotic” since 1,000 nuclear workers moved into Albion Square in October 2014, with householders and councillors reporting indiscriminate parking around town and on Kells and Bransty. 

In a bid to tackle the problem, Copeland Council recently converted land at The Ginns – where residents bemoaned the parking situation – into a pay-and-display car park. A new 203-space car park is also set to be created by Britain's Energy Coast on land between Tesco and the harbourside.

Three-hundred more Sellafield Ltd staff will move into the Copeland Centre before the end of 2016, despite having only 130 parking spaces allocated. This is made up of 50 at the Copeland Centre itself and 80 at the soon-to-be-converted former skatepark behind Tesco.

Sellafield Ltd says this number will be "more than adequate" for the staff who will be based there at any one time.

The spokesman added many will car share, use public transport or walk to work.