City centre traders “understand” the delays to the Broadway shopping scheme – but are “increasingly anxious” for construction work on the £320m project to get underway.

Bradford Chamber of Trade, the body that represents shop owners in Bradford, said Westfield’s city centre development was crucial.

Val Summerscales, the chamber’s secretary, said traders remained positive about the scheme because they understood that a change of developer in 2004 had delayed the original deadline.

Since Westfield bought the development from Stratford-based Stannifer, the scheme has been revised on several occasions. The value of the project has risen from £200m to £320m.

Mrs Summerscales said: “A lot of our members understand why the initial deadline was missed. A change of developer means the scheme almost has to go back to square one again.

“But we need to see some positive action now.

“Our members are increasingly anxious to see construction work start because they want to look forward to the benefits the new development might bring into Bradford.

“There’s a lot hanging on it.”

Mrs Summerscales said the scheme’s retail launch in Bradford last week could be seen as a positive step.

She said: “We are glad that it’s moving in the right direction.”