Barrow’s MP said he was confident the council was working in good faith to get closed-down football pitches in the town open again soon.
Last week, bosses at Pulse Barrow on Greengate Street said it had shut its football pitches due to health and safety concerns.
The MP for Barrow and Furness, Simon Fell, said: “I met with the council last Friday to discuss the closure of the pitches by Pulse and the impact that this is having on the community.
“I want to thank everyone who has been in touch with me on this issue – I know just how well used these pitches are and why getting them back up and running for local clubs is essential.
“The council is under no illusion as to the fact that these pitches need investment and that they also can’t leave the community and pitch users adrift. As you’ll be aware, Pulse have the contract to manage and maintain these sites – negotiations are ongoing between both sides, but I am confident that the council is working in good faith to deliver a timely outcome and get them open again, and soon.
“I am due to meet with the council again shortly and will share an update as soon as possible.”
Councillor Niyall Philips (Hawcoat and Newbarns, Conservative), called on Westmorland and Furness Council, in a meeting last Thursday, to ensure a robust maintenance plan was put in place so people can continue to access the facilities.
He said due to the closure, hundreds of young people were having to look for other venues to participate in their regular activities.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council previously said: “The council owns the facility, but it is managed by our contractor, Pulse Barrow, and the decision to close the pitches was taken by the contractor.
“The council was not informed prior to the decision to close the pitches and the council was not involved in the health and safety assessment.
“The council recognises the concern and anxiety that will be caused to the many users of this facility by this decision and is seeking an urgent update from Pulse Barrow to fully understand the issues.”
Pulse Barrow previously claimed Westmorland and Furness Council gave them no option but to close to prevent further accidents from taking place.
A spokesman for Pulse Barrow said: “The council has been repeatedly asked to fix the pitches as it is them who is responsible for the repairs and replacement. They have been informed they are unsafe on numerous occasions, with accidents being reported each time an incident has occurred.
“A member of the sports department from the council attended the centre and advised they should be closed immediately as they are an accident waiting to happen, the council still didn’t act upon the advice given so Pulse had no other option than to close the centre to prevent any further accidents happening.
“The council are and always have been aware of the aware of the health and safety issues at the centre.”
