WORCESTERSHIRE County Council announced to the world yesterday that all was going to plan with its scheme to repave the Shambles, in the city centre, in a more aesthetically-pleasing manner.

Workers are labouring hard to make sure that the new paving scheme,which includes “resurfacing the footways and carriageway, introducing segregated loading bays for delivery vehicles, planting suitable trees, improving street furniture and upgrading street lighting” is taking place according to schedule.

And few will argue that the street’s ‘facelift’ was not sorely needed; many voices were raised when the Shambles, one of the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfares, was disfigured by the ugly black scars of tarmac, which marked where excavations had been needed to repair faults in underground services.

Let us hope, therefore, that arrangements have been made to avoid such a situation in future; that, if such works are unavoidable in future (and sometimes they are unavoidable), the relevant utility provider, or the county council itself is tasked with making good the damage and restoring the handsome new surface which is now being provided.

If the Shambles were to be once again mutilated as it was in such recent memory, then the anger of city centre-based traders, and of all the members of the public who visit the Shambles on a daily and weekly basis, is likely to be very great indeed.

Getting things like that right is something that local authorities are expected by the public to do, and whether or not it is got right will be noticed by the public and remembered when the time for local elections rolls round once again.

It was widely noticed in the wake of the most recent, just over two weeks ago, that there was a nationwide disenchantment with, and reaction against, major political parties, fanned no doubt by the continuing farrago of the Brexit saga.

But making sure that our city centre is as attractive as it can be is surely within the competence of the relevant authorities.

Worcester may not be widely regarded as one of the UK’s urban jewels, in the way that Bath, York or Chester are, but it has its own charms, its own attractions, and its own history to be proud of, and taking proper care of its built environment is as important here as elsewhere.