Bingley's long-awaited relief road may not open until next year, the Highways Agency admitted today.

Contractor Amec had prom-ised the £47.9 million project will be completed by this autumn, which officially ends on Decem-ber 21. But now the Highways Agency, has said the three-mile route - that stretches from Crossflatts roundabout to Cottingley Bar - may not open until the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

Although the construction contract awarded by the Highways Agency for the multi-million pound project officially runs out in March 2004 Amec at one point insisted the long-awaited project would be ready by autumn.

As the Telegraph & Argus reported last month, Bingley residents claimed the project was being delayed deliberately so Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott could perform a grand opening ceremony. And Conservative shadow transport minister Damien Green has tabled parliamentary questions to Mr Prescott demanding a date for the opening and the name of who will perform the ceremony.

Bradford district councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) said it was disappointing to hear what was expected to be a Christmas present for Bingley now looked more like an "Easter box". "We've had countless promises and it looks like the date has slipped again," he said.

"Amec have done a fantastic job and they've had very few complaints. But it's a shame they ever said they would open it in the autumn as we all got our hopes up."

Trader Kay Adams, who runs Kay Crafts in Chapel Lane and is chairman of the newly-created Business Watch, said the town's regeneration was in limbo until the road opened. "There's a lot of good projects planned for the future and we'll just have to be patient and wait a bit longer," she said.

About £1million will be spent revamping the town centre, which could include pedestrianising Main Street.

Shipley's Labour MP Chris Leslie, who campaigned for the road which is intended to remove 40 per cent of traffic from the town, said improvements were not dependent on when the project was finished.

"It will open, whether it's after Christmas or in the new year, and people need to take a breath, relax and get on with enjoying Christmas and get ready to drive on the new road," he said.

A Highways Agency spokesman - who was also speaking on behalf of Amec - said the final stages were now being completed. "They are currently wor-king on installation of road signs and crash barriers, plus boundary fences and walls," she said.

She said 2,000 cats' eyes will also be installed.