A TORY county councillor has called for police to improve traffic management during flooding to halt chaos on the roads.

Hallow member, Alwyn Davies, was speaking at a County Hall flood meeting to thrash out a report for future action on the problem.

"I was amazed we appeared to have no real clear traffic management plan," said Coun Davies.

"People were chasing around back roads and there was simply no policy on what they should do.

"I'd hope police have taken this on board and thought a bit harder on what they should do when Worcester is a complete deadlock all around."

Dwindling funds to fight emergencies have also compounded efforts to deal with recent flooding problems.

The lack of cash was revealed by the head of emergency planning, John Asquith, as councillors sought solutions to deal with future flood disasters.

Mr Asquith said the main Home Office emergency planning grant had shrivelled over recent years from £22m, spread between 54 authorities, to £14m between 156.

"In April I'll lose another £50,000 from the Home Office grant," he said. "We're trying to bring this to the attention of central government because we're being asked to do more and more work with less and less resources."

Other suggestions to cope with future floods revolved around improved co-operation and communication between agencies, and better drainage.

The Specific Issues Scrutiny Panel will present its findings to agencies including the Government.