A MAJOR Whitehaven road will NOT be widened as part of plans for a new power station, nuclear chiefs have confirmed.

Concern had been raised by a number of parishioners at St Begh’s about the potential widening of parts of Coach Road, possibly using land belonging to the parish to do so.

The road has been earmarked as one a number of possible ‘improvements’ by NuGen, the firm behind plans for a new power station on land next to Sellafield and its associated accommodation and transport schemes.

However, a NuGen spokesman said this week: “NuGen can confirm it is not proposing to widen Coach Road.

“As detailed in its Proposed Scheme consultation document, NuGen is proposing to provide improvements to the junctions at both ends of Coach Road and has been seeking feedback from the public.”

A worker village is planned for land off Coach Road (near its junction with Preston Street) and improvements have also been earmarked for Corkickle train station.

The priests of St Begh’s Parish have extended thanks to parishioners who replied to the Coach Road plans “in such great numbers” in NuGen’s recently-ended public consultation.