A Government minister and Bradford MP who had started to doubt Westfield's commitment to the city's regeneration now feels "reassured" that the £340 million Broadway shopping complex will go ahead.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, MP for Bradford South, said he emerged from a briefing with Westfield feeling much more positive about the Broadway scheme.

Before Christmas the Labour MP admitted he had started to wonder if the Australian developer's priorities lay elsewhere, particularly with the £1.6 billion shopping centre it aims to open in London's White City later this year.

But the meeting at Westminster, also attended by Bradford West MP Marsha Singh, Bradford North MP Terry Rooney and Keighley MP Ann Cryer, appears to have eased some of those concerns.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "The briefing was very reassuring. They went through the history of the Bradford development and the amounts of money they have already spent, which is about £60m so far.

"They said they were committed to the development on the basis that they have spent that much already.

"They went through the various discussions they have had with leaseholders and where they are in terms of signing up the major companies. I am confident they are doing all they can."

One of Mr Sutcliffe's prime concerns related to how Westfield had re-deployed its 60-strong core team of construction experts after the company completed its latest shopping centre in Derby in October 2007.

He feared the Derby team may be sent to London to boost efforts to complete the White City scheme, rather than moving to Bradford to start work on Broadway.

But Mr Sutcliffe said: "Westfield assured us that the team from Derby is now in Bradford.

"We asked when work would start and they said they couldn't commit to an exact start date, but they said it wouldn't be long.

"They said once it was up and running the size and scale of the development would be among the best in the country.

"I am reassured because we asked them some of the difficult questions that people have been asking for a while.

"I think it is a sign of their commitment that they were prepared to meet us."

Keighley MP Ann Cryer, who was also at the briefing, admitted she still had concerns about the rate of development in the city centre.

She said: "I am pleased they went to the trouble of meeting us all, but I still have anxieties that will only be addressed when I see work starting.

"I wish Westfield well, but speed is of the essence.

"The longer it remains a hole in the ground, the more people will get into the habit of shopping elsewhere.

"They told us things were starting to happen on-site."

Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies, who had a separate meeting with Westfield, said: "They were absolutely adamant that the scheme would take place.

"Their best estimate was that it would start early this year and they are absolutely committed to the development."

Preparatory works, described by Westfield as "enabling works," are continuing on the city centre site as the company prepares for the major building work ahead.