A mayor has spoken of her frustration over a project to move her town’s library that is taking longer than expected to complete.

Proposals to move Eye’s library from Buckshorn Lane to the former Citizens’ Advice Bureau premises in Cross Street have been in the pipeline for about two years.

Discussions have been taking place between Eye Town Council, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Libraries over the move.

Town mayor Linda Cummins said she had expected the project to have been completed by the end of the year.

“I think it will now be sorted next year but we would have liked it to have been this year,” she said.

“It will give quite a big boost to the town.”

The county council awarded more than £15,000 for the move earlier in the year.

Town councillor Felix Williams, who has headed up the project, said: “It’s very slow-moving; after recent discussions with Suffolk County Council it was decided that the money would be spent drawing up proper designs to have an architect and a quantity surveyor produce some accurate costing for the entire project – this has been awarded to a local company.

“The work has not kicked off yet – we are at the point where we need the proper designs and costings – then as long as everybody is in agreement, we will be able to move ahead.” He said the county council, which owns the building in Cross Street, is “very keen” to get the premises used and wants the community to be involved with the project.

Further funds are likely to be needed for the project, on top of the £15,000 fund. Mr Williams said fundraising would need to take place.

“We were hoping it would have been completed by the end of the year, but it’s dragging its heels a lot – we’re now looking at the spring,” he said.

The building would be split – with one half used to provide the library and the other for community services.

A spokesman for Suffolk Libraries said: “Eye Town Council is keeping us informed on progress with this project and we are working closely with them and Suffolk County Council.”

The county council said it was also working in partnership with the town council and Suffolk Libraries to develop the project.