LOOKING ahead to what 2005 will bring, the Herefordshire's business community, Chamber area manager William Lyons has hightlighted the constraints imposed by the county's inferior infrastructure.

''From a business support viewpoint it is frustrating to see ample evidence of the existence of high quality, innovative companies who have progressed to levels where they are successfully competing on a global scale but whose future development at locations within the county is seriously constrained by inferior infrastructure.''

He said: ''The agricultural business sector must also be wondering what chance it has of influencing events. While clarification has emerged with regards to what will qualify for Single Farm Payment, there is much uncertainty as to how the scheme is going to work out in practice and this in itself must be having a negative impact on future planning.''

From an overall Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire point of view, however, he said that the New Year could be faced in an opitimistic mood.

He added: ''Exciting development schemes such as Hereford's Edgar Street Grid and Learning Village are slowly taking shape against a background of a newly-forged economic development strategy for the county.

''Our own organisation will see a merger of Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire with that of Shropshire into a combined Business Link West Mercia to form one of the strongest Business Link delivery vehicles in the West Midlands which will become the region's Rural Economic Development Specialists.

''The regional voice of the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be much beefed up by this merger and on a local level we are going to ensure that the business voice of the market towns is fully represented on the Chamber Area Council for Herefordshire, the main policy body for subscribing members.''