Thousands of motorists will receive an extra special present for Christmas - but only if the weather stays dry this week.

The long-awaited Bingley Relief Road will open in time for Christmas, as long as rain doesn't hold the workers back.

Contractors Amec have only the finishing touches to add to the road, including painting white lines, but the work is dependent on the weather.

If the weather is poor, the opening will be delayed until the New Year.

Today Shipley MP Chris Leslie gave a "rock solid guarantee" that the opening would not be delayed for a Westminster politician to be present.

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) had claimed residents faced more disruption until Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, or another Westminster politician, pinned down a convenient date for an opening.

But Mr Leslie said: "The road will open as soon as it is finished. We will not be waiting for an official ceremony. It will open as soon as it is ready. I can give a rock solid guarantee that it will open as soon as the construction is completed."

Mr Leslie took a tour of the road on Friday. "This was the first time I have been able to drive through the whole route. It was absolutely fantastic. It is going to be a three-minute journey from Crossflatts to Cottingley," he said.

"If the weather allows the contractors to do the finishing touches then it could open literally the day before Christmas."

The opening of the road will allow projects planned for Bingley, including a £1 million renaissance for the town centre, to go ahead.

Last week the Highways Agency, which is overseeing the project, admitted for the first time the road may not be ready this year. Amec had originally promised an autumn opening.

At the latest meeting of Shipley Area Committee, Coun Heseltine criticised the delays, saying they were holding back the regeneration of the town.

"We were hoping by now the relief road would be open and up and running and that some of the benefits it might bring to the town would start showing through," he said.

"This has stifled what has been planned in the town.

"But there is a buzz in the background, and hopefully once the relief road is open, we can get back on track.

"Hopefully by next Christmas, we shall be there."

In a report presented to councillors, town centre manager David Dinsey said the future of the town looked "most promising", with the opening of the relief road, a planned development at Britannia Mills and potential changes to Main Street and the area around the Arts Centre.

The Bingley Relief Road was the key that would unlock important regeneration efforts within the town, he wrote.