THIS year will go down in history, not least because it was the year Worcester tried to revamp its High Street.

We use the word "try" because the £1.3m scheme - mainly funded by Worcestershire County Council - hasn't yet succeeded.

The latest problem to hit the troubled project is damage being caused to the new surface by delivery lorries.

Such set-backs, according to Worcester City Council engineer Andy Walford, should be expected because the repaving work is a "pioneering scheme".

Did anyone ask for a pioneering scheme?

Surely the people of Worcester wanted a successful scheme.

A project which would improve their High Street, be attractive to look at and functional at the same time.

In October the city council's cabinet member for tourism, Francis Lankester, defended the scheme in the Evening News.

"The city council has the vision to improve our city for visitor and resident alike," he said.

His letter came following widespread criticism of the scheme, which has cost more and taken longer than planned.

Work on the project has quite rightly stopped now for Christmas.

But with the dawning of a New Year, let's make sure we get this scheme right.

History won't remember the set-backs, but it will judge the finished product.

Perhaps it's time for the councils to get back to basics - to concentrate on meeting the wishes of visitor and resident alike - before pursuing pioneering schemes.