PLANS to spend £5 million on improving drainage along the county's roads have been put forward by Worcestershire County Council.

The council's cabinet will decide this week whether to recommend the money is put in next year's budget to be spent on altering and increasing the capacity of gullies and culverts over two years.

If it goes ahead, the council will have to borrow the money for its capital programme and the debt will cost £438,000 each year for over 20 years - a total of £8.76 million.

The council came up with the idea after it was estimated that this year's floods caused £6 million damage to highways and £1.8 million damage to schools.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, cabinet member for finance, said: "We can't do much about river flooding but it's this flash flooding which has been such a bane across the county.

"If you can just up the capacity in certain areas I'm sure it will make such a difference to people who, whenever it rains, are frankly terrified."

Coun Hardman has also written to the Association Of British Insurers to ask that insurance companies recognise the move will reduce flooding risks for residents and reduce their insurance premiums.

Coun Hardman said: "If the money reduces the risk to highways, it follows that it reduces to the residents who are living nearby and that reduction of risk should be reflected in their insurance premiums.

"While this would only go some way to easing the burden many are feeling, it would nevertheless be something of a welcome respite during incredibly difficult times."

If the cabinet members, who meet on Friday, February 8, decide to put the plan forward, it will be debated at full council on Thursday, February 21 during a meeting at Wychavon District Council's civic centre.