Bradford's £200 million Broadway shopping development faces more opposition after objections were received to road closures necessary for it to go ahead.

The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions received four objections from national businesses with Bradford interests.

A department spokeswoman refused to name the objectors but said representations would go to a public inquiry on January 30.

The hearing will also deal with challenges to about 12 compulsory purchase orders for city centre properties.

The Kirkgate Centre has also submitted an objection for the inquiry, although it is not the subject of a compulsory purchase order.

But today the Council's executive committee member for the economy, Councillor Simon Cooke, said officers would continue to negotiate - until the 11th hour if necessary - in a bid to get the objections withdrawn.

He said: "If we can solve them it will lessen any delay to the scheme which may be caused by a public inquiry."

A Bradford Council spokesman said the authority had successfully negotiated with two objectors to the road closures but a further two may go to the inquiry.

He added they were about the Godwin Street junction and mainly related to loading.

But the Forster Square partnership carrying out the proposed development says the new traffic scheme will bring huge improvements to the busy city centre.

If the Government inspector dealing with the inquiry comes down on the side of the Council, it will mean the closing off of Petergate and the bottom end of Cheapside, shutting Charles Street at its junction with Hall Ings and Broadway at the Cheapside end. There would also be other alterations.

The plan would transform the city as dozens of 1960s buildings were demolished and replaced by huge traffic malls and public squares.

Prudential, which owns the 25-year old Kirkgate centre, says it believes the scheme fails to integrate the city centre.

But partnership director Richard Weather has accused Prudential of not looking at the long-term benefits for the city.

The scheme would include 60 shops, a cinema and 1,200 parking spaces. The partnership hopes to start work next year, with opening scheduled for 2005.