A dedicated vehicle search facility is set to be created near Sellafield's main gate, with work to start next month.

The facility, adjacent to the main site, will feature four designated delivery vehicle waiting lanes and a dedicated bus lane.

Plans were approved at Copeland Council's planning meeting last week.

Councillors heard that the site, adjacent to the main Sellafield site, currently comprises a weigh bridge, hard standing search area, a series of bus lanes and shelters, and pedestrian access leading to main gate.

They approved proposals to reconfigure the search and access arrangements for access of delivery vehicles onto site.

A Sellafield spokesman said once complete, the new Sellafield Transit Centre (STC) will improve safety and security.

It will also provide enhanced welfare facilities for guard force employees working at the main gate.

The project is part of the wider Inbound Logistics and Warehousing programme, which is delivering security, commercial and resilience improvements to Sellafield's delivery processes.

Paul Shawcross, programme manager, said: "This is an important project, which helps ensure we have the right conditions for the security screening of commercial vehicles.

"These works have been planned for some time, and have been designed to minimise the disruption to the business and the use of Main Gate."