A full report on Bradford's market fiasco has been pledged after claims by a Tory councillor that Council members had been kept in the dark over the problems.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed last week that there were new delays over plans for the £3 million refurbishment of John Street market.

It will eventually also accommodate Rawson market traders, who have been exiled from their main hall into a temporary market since 1996.

The Council has agreed to put Rawson, John Street and St James fish market under one roof as soon as possible.

The site of the main Rawson market is now up for sale as an Asian shopping complex because a £6 million redevelopment scheme, promised when the traders moved out to the temporary market, has not materialised.

In the meantime, 11 businesses have quit Rawson Market mainly because of plummeting takings said to be because of the lack of passing trade.

A twelfth, Lincoln's florists, is moving to Eccleshill on April 3, after 40 years in the city centre.

Work had been expected to start at John Street in April, but the Council says it now expects contractors to be in by the end of the year, with completion about a year later.

But Councillor Richard Wightman (Con, Rombalds), an executive committee member, has fired in a strong complaint to the Council that no progress reports have been received on the project.

He said: "This is yet another disaster for Bradford Council. It must work out whether it values the market traders and their contribution to city life. Promises have been broken and we must have an explanation."

Councillor Dave Green, regeneration member of the executive committee, said: "There will be a full report to the executive committee in line with standing orders."

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