Copeland's Parliamentary candidates have laid out their plans for improved infrastructure for the area at a public hustings event.

Residents had the chance to quiz the seven candidates vying to be the borough’s next MP, with concerns about the local roads and public transport high on the agenda.

Independent candidate Michael Guest said that the A595 “needs to be sorted out”, adding: “There’s no way businesses can come here with the infrastructure we have.”

Gillian Troughton (Labour) said the area needs a rail line “that is fit for purpose” and highlighted the difficulties facing those who use public transport caused by the “need for better infrastructure and investment”.

The Green Party's Jack Lenox said his party would consider extending free bus passes to young people and jobseekers.

He added: “We need to fight for more to be spent on public transport.”

Roy Ivinson (independent) responded: “A successful infrastructure is the product of a successful economy, and the future is low-carbon energy.”

For the Conservatives, Trudy Harrison pledged to retrunk the A595, with one in three miles a dual-carriageway.

Rebecca Hanson (Lib Dems) vowed to correct the “missed investment opportunities in the past, caused by discord between local councils”.

And UKIP’s Fiona Mills said: “It’s time for someone who will fight for investment as an MP. UKIP has a plan to fund this by leaving the EU and abolishing HS2.”

Tony Fox, of the Copeland Rail Action Group, pressed candidates for their pledges to improve rail services, while Jayne Laine called for an infrastructure levy to be placed on major projects.

Following a question from Robert Jackson, all the candidates – apart from Mr Lenox – gave their backing to plans for a new nuclear power station at Moorside, and all supported proposals for a new coking coal mine at Whitehaven.

Residents go to the polls next Thursday to elect a successor for Labour’s Jamie Reed, who took a job at Sellafield.