The news, exclusively revealed in the Telegraph & Argus today, that Westfield will finally begin preparatory work on the Broadway site on Monday must be warmly welcomed by all who care about the future of Bradford city centre.

And although it must be stressed that this is not the start of construction proper, the developers are still stating that they plan to do everything in their power to get work underway in earnest before the end of the year. While that may prove an ambitious aim, particularly with the vagaries of winter weather, let us all hope that they can fulfil it.

What is absolutely clear, though, is that today’s news is a forceful and positive statement of intent by Westfield and it undoubtedly brings the arrival of the shopping centre closer than it has ever been.

The company would not start clearing the site if there was any question still remaining about the viability of the scheme and they are showing clear confidence in the Bradford development.

After the years of delays and false dawns, there will undoubtedly be those who will refuse to believe it will happen until the shopping centre opens its doors for the first time. But for the vast majority of us, the sight of workers finally getting their hands dirty in the infamous Bradford “hole” will be one that gladdens the heart.

Bradford city centre has endured a traumatic period but this news, surely, signals the beginning of the end of that extremely difficult time?

The confidence Westfield and its retail partners are showing by pushing ahead with this development will give the whole city a major boost and help to kickstart the retail economy as we hopefully move out of recession over the next year or two.