BARROW TOWN COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

Barrow Town Council at its meeting on 19th May 2026 approved the following actions:

1. The Town Clerk to send a letter requesting that Westmorland and Furness Council investigate and consider the implementation of an ‘Educational Established Parking Permit Scheme’ to be trialled in the area directly surrounding Barrow Island Community Primary School. Currently the residents on Barrow Island suffer from long-standing issues with parking due to the direct proximity of the Shipyard. There is currently a new parking plan in the consultation phase for implementation, but no concession or consideration has been made for the teachers and staff at Barrow Island Community Primary School. The school has no dedicated car park facility; therefore, the staff are using the reception playground as a temporary measure. The school staff are unable to use the Trinity Street parking permit area due to the zone limited parking times.

2. The Town Clerk to send a letter to Westmorland and Furness Council requesting details of the ‘Assessment and Impact Study’ undertaken by them when determining the closure of the Dova Way Car Park and additionally requesting details of the plans they have secured to ensure that local residents are unaffected by their action. If no such assessment was made, and no plans exist, Barrow Town Council urge Westmorland and Furness Council to re-open the car park until a full impact assessment has been undertaken and mitigating plans have been established.

3. The Town Clerk to send a letter to Westmorland and Furness Council noting to date no fully developed and publicly scrutinised replacement theatre and market scheme has been secured in advance of the demolition, therefore accordingly the Town Council calls upon Westmorland and Furness Council to:-

• Provide a binding and unequivocal guarantee that The Forum will be replaced by a modern, high-quality theatre and cultural facility of no lesser capacity, specification or public accessibility with no reduction in provision.

• Prohibit the commencement of any demolition works until a suitably qualified development partner has been formally appointed and the complete redevelopment scheme, including final designs, technical specifications, delivery model and confirmed funding, has been published in full.

• Approve and publish a clear, fixed and enforceable timetable for demolition, construction and interim arrangements supported by mandatory and regular public reporting to ensure full transparency and accountability.

• Ensure the provision of a high-quality, fully operational temporary theatre and market facilities, such that there is no material loss at any point to Barrow’s cultural, civic, or commercial sector.

• Establish a formal governance structure with defined influence and decision-making guaranteeing ongoing, meaningful and evidenced engagement with residents, councillors, businesses and stakeholders throughout the design and delivery of the project.

• Commit to the long-term ownership, operation, maintenance and appropriate subsidy of the completed theatre and market to secure their continued accessibility, quality and public value.

Any failure to comply with the above requirements shall constitute a material failure of governance and delivery, triggering an immediate report to the appropriate W&F Council committees and boards, including specific and time-bound corrective actions. Barrow Town Council affirms that given the scale of public investment and the national significance of this opportunity any delay, dilution, lack of transparency or departure from these commitments is unacceptable. Accordingly, the above provisions shall be treated as minimum, non-negotiable conditions and no demolition or redevelopment activity shall proceed unless and until they are fully satisfied