A vision for Bradford, taking the City to the year 2020, was launched today with a promise of jobs for generations.

And the blueprint for the future will put the city on the map as a major technology centre for the region and warns neighbouring cities that Bradford could become a force to be recognised.

The plan - 10 months in the making - was produced by independent consultants after extensive research and will update and refine the existing regional development strategy produced in 1996.

It will also form the basis of Bradford's bid to the new Regional Development Agency which has pots of cash up for grabs.

But the study, commissioned by Bradford Training and Enterprise Council, pulls no punches.

It identifies many weaknesses in the district including a lack of competitiveness, a poor range of shops in the city centre, traffic congestion and a bad image.

But strengths include rural landscapes and architectural heritage and sense of civic pride. It also identified the thriving electronics industry, the potential of a young and growing population and the potential of the Asian business community.

Training & Enterprise Council marketing director Simon Bray said the project was the first of its kind in the north. "We are very thankful for everybody who gave valuable time. The plan is something which is cohesive and deliverable."

He said there were no firm thoughts yet on the major Millennium projects, but ideas had come out of the consultation. "It would be a focus to make people realise something is going to happen for the better."

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said he believed it was the best forward planning strategy ever to be produced for the district. "I welcome it wholeheartedly."

The next stage would be a major public consultation exercise to agree a list of major projects.

The Training & Enterprise Council will set the strategy against its own business plan and it will be constantly monitored and measured against targets, unlike previous plans.

The study was produced by the Local Futures Group, a research based consultancy which has already produced a master strategy for London.

The strong message from the Training & Enterprise Council today was that if the plan did not happen, Bradford would not stand still - it would go backwards.

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