THE proposed relocation of the landmark clock tower in Half-Way-Tree is among the factors delaying the opening of the city’s newly constructed transport centre, which is now scheduled to be opened next January.

The clock tower, said Transport Minister Mike Henry, is to be relocated to another area of Half-Way-Tree, which was currently being looked at.

The other factors cited yesterday by Henry for the delay in opening the multimillion-dollar transport centre was the construction of roadways in the vicinity of the centre and the tender process for the retail shops.

The minister said, too, that a sewer pipe in the vicinity of the Pavilion Mall, which is nearer the surface than was anticipated, had also contributed to the delay in opening the centre.

Henry told the Observer that he hoped that the necessary roadwork would be completed by next month.

In addition, he said the Port Authority which will be managing the transport centre had not yet completed the processing of applications for shops. The rental of the shops, said Henry, would help offset the $100 million the government would have to find to operate the centre.