A Yorkshire Euro-MP claims Bradford Council has done nothing for Saltaire since it won World Heritage Status.

Richard Corbett, Labour Yorkshire and Humber MP, who lives in Saltaire, accused the Council of failing to promote any of its attractions, including Salts Mill.

He also claimed nothing had been done to accommodate tourists and is now calling for the Council to employ a full-time co-ordinator to raise the profile of the village.

"There aren't good explanations of the historical background of the village - visitors are just left to wander round with no information," said Mr Corbett.

The Euro-MP said the village, built by Victorian textile magnate Sir Titus Salt for his workers, should have become a bigger attraction for Yorkshire since it won the prestigious accolade a year ago.

The title puts Saltaire on the same footing as the Pyramids, Stonehenge and the Great Wall of China. Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, is the only other World Heritage Site in Yorkshire.

Mr Corbett said a Saltaire co-ordinator would also make sure residents were not unduly disturbed by tourists.

He has now written to Ian Stewart, Bradford Council's chief executive, urging him to take action.

New Lanark in Scotland, which also obtained World Heritage Status in 2001, has assigned such a co-ordinator. Employed jointly by South Lanarkshire Council and Historic Scotland, he has been appointed to ensure thate World Heritage Status is exploited to the full, and that residents' peace and quiet are not undermined.

Mr Corbett said: "I have written to the chief executive urging him to follow New Lanark's example because I think it would be highly desirable for Bradford to employ such an officer.

"World Heritage Status is a tremendous opportunity which must be exploited to the full."

Bradford Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said the Council had advertised for a Saltaire World Heritage Site officer in the summer but there had been a disappointing response.

"The post, which is being jointly funded by Bradford Council and English Heritage, is being re-advertised in the new year and we are looking for a very high-calibre individual who will do justice to the village," she said. "One of their key roles will be to champion Saltaire and work closely with all parties to promote the village while conserving its unique identity."

Coun Eaton said that as part of the World Heritage Status bid the Council held public consultations, including workshops, to seek the views and ideas of local people and organisations on the significance of the status for Saltaire.

"This feedback was used to develop a management plan for the village," she said.

"The plan aims to balance the needs of residents, businesses and visitors to manage this important heritage site."

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