The Whitehaven Harbour Taskforce, chaired by MP Josh MacAlister, approved a proposed solution to divert the orange water affecting the harbour out to sea.

The decision, made last week, comes after an extensive feasibility study, for which funding was secured by Josh from the Government, confirmed that diverting the water out to sea is the most viable option.

This marks a turning point in the campaign to restore Whitehaven Harbour to its natural state.

Following the approval of the taskforce on the way forward, Josh will now meet with Ministers to and do his best to secure the £4 million funding needed to deliver the scheme.

Local stakeholders must also now work quickly to agree ownership and governance arrangements for the new asset so that the work can begin without delay.

The Whitehaven and Workington MP said: “The development and approval of this plan is meaningful progress the people of Whitehaven have been waiting for.

“For three years now our harbour has been tarnished by the orange discharge.

“While investigations continue to locate the source of the water, we may never know, and so we have to focus on diverting it safely.

“I will now take this to Ministers and demand the funding to get on and build it.

“But success also depends on local partners stepping up: we must agree who owns and maintains the new system so that it is delivered, sustained and trusted.

“The people of Whitehaven deserve nothing less.”

The solution involves building a new pipeline to divert the water from the culvert along and through the harbour wall where it will be released into the sea on the foreshore north of the harbour.

The Taskforce will issue further updates as the funding discussions progress and as next steps in design, procurement, and consenting are confirmed.