Westfield contractors were at the site of its Broadway shopping centre yesterday as preparation works started.

Its director of development, Duncan Bower, said site was being readied for site offices and phone lines will be laid to ensure the infrastructure is in place for the construction work to start.

“We want to do the clearance and necessary surveys so that when the time is right we hit the ground running,” said Mr Bower.

“There are plants growing behind the hoardings that need removing and we are preparing the site to become operational.”