Local anger at new city centre delays
More delays...no end in sight!
Local campaigner David Ward has attacked developers' plans to grass over the Westfield site in Bradford city centre as too little, too late.
It has finally been revealed that work in the city centre will not start for at least two years.
David asked, "If this site is to be a shopping centre in the next couple of years, why is work not starting now?
The latest plans look to me like this site is going to be covered up for a lot longer than two years."
The Australia-based developer blames the recession for the lack of progress, despite making huge profits in 2009 and astronomical profits of $2.10 billion in 2008.
David added, "We have met with senior executives from the developers three times since 2008. We have taken them to show them how to really help young people in Bradford.
But their failure has cost Bradford dearly. Local tax-payers are going to have to foot the bill for the plan to mothball the site until construction is resumed - and it is far too little, far too late.
We must get work and training for local people from this. Too many jobs have been lost in Bradford already."
Local people are very angry that their Labour MP has been silent on this crucial issue.