A PLAN launched by members of Workington Town Council to change a monument to the steel industry has drawn ire in Parliament.

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson criticised Workington Town Council’s Independents during business questions in the House of Commons on Thursday.

He claimed that independent councillors had launched a “sham” consultation on the fate of Workington’s Duffield Beacon on “fictitious” health and safety grounds.

Mr Jenkinson told fellow Conservative and leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg that the steelworks monument in Vulcan Park would either remain and never be lit again or would be “chopped in half”.

He asked: “Built by British Steel apprentices from Workington rail, it stands today as a monument to our steel industry.

“Could we have a debate in Government time on the protection of important local monuments, such as the Duffield Beacon?”

The Leader of the House said: “I’m very grateful to my honourable friend and can assure him that the Government is committed to ensuring that this country’s heritage is appropriately protected.

“Local planning authorities are responsible for determining such applications and local people will be able to make their views known throughout the process.

“But there is nothing worse than pettifogging bureaucracy trying to stop a local monument being lit and used and admired and enjoyed. And he’s absolutely right to bash his local council for this silly behaviour.”

Councillor Paul Scott, leader of Allerdale Independents, said: “It was simply a case of moving it to a location where it could be lit and not cause damage to any property. It’s not a political issue, it’s whether we light a beacon 30 metres from a hospital that currently has an end-of-life ward.”

In response to criticism about protecting heritage, Mr Scott pointed out “almost £225,000” is needed to repair the Jane Pit memorial. “Maybe we should look at what heritage we want to survive.”

He said that he was “surprised” to see the town council discussed in the House of Commons.

“I think it’s an easy win, it’s a political win and that’s all it is. I think it’s an insult to Workington, given everything that’s going on at the minute.”

Labour representative on Workington Town Council Barbara Cannon sided with Mr Jenkinson on the Duffield Beacon saying: “A lot of people with relatives in the steel industry will be appalled.”

She disagreed that there was an issue with health and safety.

“They don’t know what they’re talking about. When it’s been lit they lined it with mesh so that bigger pieces that might be lit don’t fall through the gaps.”

The beacon was built in 1992 from rails and is a tribute to James Duffield, a pivotal figure in the founding of Workington Steelworks. A consultation on the fate of the Duffield Beacon is ongoing and can be found on the Workington Town Council website.