BARROW AFC will erect new floodlights at Holker Street after plans to refurbish the current pylons proved unfeasible.

Bluebirds directors hope work will start in the coming weeks to dismantle the current stanchions – which date back to the mid-1960s – and replace them with more modern lights.

Owner Paul Casson has hoped to keep the traditional structures as part of his redevelopment of the Barrow ground, but several contractors brought in to look at carrying out the repair work said it was not possible.

As a result, AFC want to start work as soon as possible to start taking down the four pylons in order to have new ones in place in time for the start of the National League season in August.

Chief executive Austin Straker said: “We were hoping in the next couple of weeks to get some repairs done to them. But we have been advised that there is no life left in them. They are getting worse and worse and they can’t go on forever – it’s like an old footballer, the legs have gone.

“I think most of the fans will realise how old the lights are. When metal corrodes and loses its integrity, it can be a danger and that is what we are trying to be one step ahead of.

“We’ve had a couple of companies out looking at replacements. They would not be in the same style, they would be more modern, probably LED on a single pole.

“We’re hoping the work would start shortly. We have several phone calls to make to make the arrangements.

“We hope the work will be carried out by a local company, Larkins, who have been enormously helpful in all the work we have been doing. They have been able to advise us and they have been there whenever we have needed them.”

Plans are still in their infancy, with the club needing to speak with various bodies, including Barrow Borough Council regarding possible planning permission issues, as well as the FA with a view to potential issues surrounding night matches at the start of next season, should work not be completed.

The plan is for the lights to be easily moved in future based on other development work which takes place around them at Holker Street.

AFC owner Paul Casson, writing about work to be carried out on the ground this summer for the Evening Mail, said: “Of not much interest to the supporters, but of interest to the players, is the installation of a new hot water boiler for the showers.

“We are going to refurb the main stand and no doubt name it something interesting.

“Of greater interest is probably the floodlights. In spite of our best efforts to breathe life into them, we have failed and so we will obtain brand new ones.

“These will be installed to be reusable in the event of a stadium upgrade, but the old floodlights are in their last days.

“When we take them down, we will have some kind of giveaway for the hopelessly romantic who may want to keep a piece in their back garden. I’m sure the wife will be delighted.”