Drivers face tailbacks of more than two hours this morning as firefighters at Sellafield strike again as their ongoing pay dispute intensifies.

Members of the GMB union started picketing at all five of the nuclear site's gates at 6am, after Tuesday's 12-and-a-half-hour walk out didn't lead to fresh talks with Sellafield bosses.

Both sides say they are open to talks but nothing has been agreed.

There are queues as far back as Moor Row northbound and there are also huge tailbacks heading south.

Extra chaos has also been added to the situation as a car collided with a wall on Haile Road just before 7.30am and landed in a ditch.

Police attended the scene and say a 17-year-old man, from Whitehaven, who was driving the black Ford Fiesta was not injured and has arranged to have the car removed.

The strike comes as the A595 is already under pressure due to a number of bridges still closed from last week's flash floods. It means that all traffic heading to the nuclear site has been forced to use the busy road, but there are reports that drivers have now resorted to taking to the narrow country lanes, including through Nethertown and Braystones.

Frustrated drivers have taken to Facebook this morning, as they wait in the queues.

David Gate wrote: "If you're thinking of going anywhere, forget it. Left Seascale 40 minutes ago and only at the Red Admiral pub (in Gosforth). God help us if any emergency services want through."

Sims Travel, which is based near Eskdale, has also informed parents that the school bus heading Millom School is delayed "due to industrial action."

GMB senior organiser Chris Jukes said: "There's a strong feeling of sadness at striking. The firefighters can't believe they have been put in this position

"They've had three evaluations in the last few years, all giving the same figures, and the management has refused to honour them.

"Apparently the company has said it wants to fix it and we want to talk and resolve it. It seems to be rhetoric from the company.

"From the feedback on the gates, people were saying it's about time someone did this. They understand why they haven't provided safety cover."

A Sellafield spokeswoman said this morning: "The safety and security of the Sellafield site, our workforce and the local community are always our priorities.

"The GMB took an unprecedented step on Tuesday by removing safety cover, which forced us to buy in a like-for-like service from the private sector. With this in place, the site was able to operate more or less as usual.

"We've made a reasonable offer to the GMB, which includes increasing the amount our firefighters are paid, and backdating that increase, in recognition of the expanding role they play in keeping the site safe.

"We are disappointed that they rejected our proposal.

"Many back-roads are currently closed in the towns and villages near to the site, and the local road network remains under pressure. Picketing has the potential to add to that pressure.

"We've taken every step possible to avoid adding to the disruption, including opening all of the gates to the site and reminding our employees they can work flexibly where possible."

The fire crew, which believes it has been underpaid for years, called off a strike in July to give Sellafield's management time to find a resolution before the end of September but no agreement could be made.

Traffic on the A595, leading towards the site, was tailed back to Bigrigg due to the first day's strike and Monday night's severe weather.