County development chiefs say Cumbria's roads infrastructure must benefit from a proposed multi-billion pound nuclear power station. 

Members of Cumbria County Council's development control committee made the assertion after receiving a presentation on the plans for the country's largest new triple reactor plant at Moorside, near Sellafield. 

The development, if approved, could be fully operational by 2026 generating 3.4 gigawatts, or seven per cent of the country's total electricity needs. 

The meeting, held at County Hall in Kendal on Monday, heard discussions are taking place between NuGen and Network Rail over ways to increase the capacity of the rail line to enable it to transport materials for the construction of the site. 

Large pieces of equipment are likely to reach the location by sea,  with a new marina off-loading facility constructed nearby. 

But county council members said investment must also be made into arterial roads into the west coast location to ensure the routes are able to cope with the increased traffic. 

Councillor Gerald Humes said: "Here we are with a possible £25bn of investment for Cumbria and there's not one mention about improvements to our roads infrastructure. 

"There are big firms looking to move into west Cumbria - why don't they work together to get our roads in a proper condition?" 

Fellow development control committee member, Councillor Ernie Wilson, of Dalton, added: "Throughout my life we have been talking about improvements to our infrastructure from Barrow to west Cumbria. 

"The road from Barrow to Millom and beyond is an absolute shambles. 

"Here we have a golden opportunity to improve that road and the rail line with it." 

A second stage consultation on the proposals is scheduled to take place in May next year with the firm hoping to secure planning consent by October 2018. 

If approved, construction could begin in 2019. 

The first nuclear reactor could become operational in 2024 with the second and third going live in 2025 and 2026 respectively. 

Initial public consultations are reported to have included 24 separate events attended by 1,800 visitors generating 750 responses.