MOTORISTS faced traffic chaos this morning as there has been huge tailbacks to Sellafield.

Traffic was backed up along the A595 to the nuclear plant as GMB members were on the picket lines at three gates on to the site.

Around 2,500 members of the GMB union went on strike in a row over pay. Picket lines, with six people on each, were formed at the north gate, main gate and Calder gate.

Traffic along the A595 was subsequently affected.

A police spokesman said: “Initially we had traffic backing up on the A595 Bigrigg towards Egremont.”

They said that by around 9am onwards, traffic was “only an issue in the immediate vicinity of the site”.

Chris Jukes, GMB senior organiser, understood there were “huge tailbacks” around the area.

The 24-hour industrial action by the GMB Union began at 6.01am this morning and is set to end at 5.59am tomorrow.

Mr Jukes said the feeling among protesters on the picket lines was "very much team spirit" although workers were saddened, angry and frustrated that it had come to strike action.

"It's not something we wanted," he said. "It's not something they wanted to do. It's the symptom of a wider problem. We want management to ask for talks and come to the table for talks. It does take two to tango."

He claimed the action was because of “macho management and an upstairs-downstairs culture where the big bosses receive eye-watering bonuses while those on the shop floor have accepted - under sufferance - previous below inflation pay rises, seen worse terms and conditions for new starters imposed at vastly reduced rates of pay and, from next year, increased contributions for works pensions”

He added: “A cultural overhaul in the management of Sellafield is urgently needed, without which the growth, jobs and new build in West Cumbria will remain elusive.”

Mr Jukes said between 50 and 100 members were at work during the strike to ensure minimum safety manning levels were maintained throughout. Emergency arrangements were also in place. He also praised negotiators speaking to GMB in the talks.

Seventy-six per cent of GMB members voted to take strike action, with talks held between parties last week.

A Sellafield Ltd spokesman said: “We believe a no-strings-attached 1.5 per cent pay increase is fair and reasonable. This is based on company affordability.

“We have been consistent throughout discussions with the trades unions. The union which has collective bargaining rights for more than half our workforce has accepted the offer.

“Our priority will be to ensure the site remains safe and secure.

“We are grateful to the GMB for agreeing to provide safety cover during the strike.”