Hereford’s MP and Hereford FC supporter Jesse Norman has stepped in to try to unblock an impasse which could threaten the club’s future.

Last week club chairman Chris Ammonds warned that unless National Highways, which manages the A49 Edgar Street alongside the club’s stadium, approves its plans for new floodlights, the club’s future was in jeopardy.

“This is a serious issue for Hereford FC, which requires a rapid resolution,” Mr Norman has now said.

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“As soon as I heard of it I got directly in touch with the chief executive of National Highways on behalf of the football club.

“It appears that they are now seeking to move forward in collaboration with the club management, but I shall be monitoring the floodlights situation closely to make sure it gets sorted, soon.”

National Highways regional director Victoria Lazenby said the agency “has no objections in principle to the lighting and are committed to supporting the club with their (planning) application”.

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She said it was “working with the club to ensure we have all of the information necessary to meet safety standards”, but aimed “to resolve these matters as soon as possible”.

Mr Ammonds said he feared that either the club would lose funding for the new more efficient LED lights, or the current antiquated ones could fail – either of which would be ruinous for the club.

Meanwhile club supporters have shared their concerns.

City resident Adrian Herbert said the situation “is becoming farcical”, and questioned why National Highways “have such a problem” with the floodlights plan.

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“I would like to see a representative take up the club’s offer to explain the delay to the fans,” he said.

Dennis Pitt of Kings Acre said: “There are floodlights at leisure centres, schools, and lots of other sports grounds and I have never heard of problems getting those approved.”

Tupsley resident Matt Quinn said: “With everything the football club has gone through, it would be an absolute travesty if it all came to an end over modern floodlights.”

Hereford FC is a “phoenix club” founded just ten years ago with a supporters’ trust as its largest shareholder, after its predecessor Hereford United was wound up.