A city betrayed by its leaders

This is, in part, because of complex tendering rules which mean that Bradford Council cannot simply hand out contracts to firms on its doorstep. These must be reconsidered, however, because local authorities should work with local contractors wherever possible.

The steady flow of money out of Bradford, however, underlines the wider problems attached to a troubled regeneration programme.

A vast gap has opened between the promises made to local residents and the mundane reality. Construction sites and a series of dustbowls mark the sites where a long list of ambtious schemes were intended.

So far, only the city park is certain to go ahead while there is a painful irony in handing over more than £2m to marketing consultants for largely non-existent developments.

In ordinary conditions, this looks expensive but it looks plain foolish in today’s age of austerity.

The stalled developments are a sign of how Bradford failed to capitalise when Britain was booming. The leadership and vision required was lacking.

Conditions for doing business have, or course, been awful for much of the last three years and Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR), the private company set up by the council, is entitled to argue that its work has been hit by the recession.

What it cannot justify, however, is the spending more than £10m of taxpayers’ money on outside consultants. These services could have been contracted for a far smaller sum and, if the people running BCR feel they need so much outside advice, then perhaps they should not be in those jobs anyway.

It is now up to Bradford Council to get to grips with its regeneration agenda before this issue becomes a national embarrassment.

If the city is ever to live up to its potential, and to make the best of its workforce, university, rich industrial heritage and transport links, then these regeneration projects must be completed. The city does not deserve to become a post-industrial eyesore.