Plans for Hereford’s new museum and library, along with 13 other major projects for the city, are still on track despite the political uncertainty in the county.

The assurance has been given by Abigail Appleton, chair of the Hereford Stronger Towns Board which oversees the programme of city improvement projects, who is also principal of the city’s College of Arts.

She said Herefordshire Council “plays a very important role in the collaboration and we look forward to working with the new administration who will take on delivery of the projects”.

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These include the two flagship Stronger Towns projects on which the council is taking the lead, to convert the city’s museum and library on Broad Street into a “world-class” exhibition space, while relocating the city library to within a revamped Maylord Orchards shopping centre.

Last summer the council agreed to up its stake in the the two projects by £3.5 million.

Work on the new library should finish next year, while the revamped museum, with its new panoramic views of the city, is due to open in 2025.

However the council’s cabinet member for assets Gemma Davies, a prominent supporter of the two projects, was among several Independents for Herefordshire councillors to lose their seats in inconclusive county elections on May 4.

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Ms Davies was approached for comment on the future of these projects. Meanwhile a new council cabinet is due to be appointed following a full meeting of the council this Friday (May 19), though its likely political makeup is still unclear.

The county council is also the lead on the Greening The City package, which has already funded sedum roofs on city bus shelters, and will also be used for greening measures along the Great Western Way cycle and footpath, and to provide grants for further community greening measures.

“The £22.4 million grant which Hereford won from the Government’s Towns Fund is secure and ring-fenced for these projects,” Ms Appleton said.

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“We are making fantastic progress, with the majority of projects well into delivery and spades in the ground across several sites.”

Building firm Vision BD has begun work this month on the project, due to complete next year, to turn the listed Castle Green Pavilion by the river Wye into a community space, cafe and gallery, and home for Hereford Youth Canoe Club.

Meanwhile work on the Hereford Cycle Track within the city’s racecourse off Holmer Road is well under way and is expected to complete this summer.