HIGHWAYS officials are looking at ways to avoid a repeat of traffic chaos in Waddington Road, Clitheroe after floods caused tailbacks.

Rainwater routinely collects in a dip under Waddington Road Bridge during extreme weather because of drainage problems.

And Graham Jagger, chief engineer at Ribble Valley Council, said after flash floods on Sunday motorists attempting to drive through the water instead of using an alternative route were bringing traffic to a standstill.

He said: "The problem is caused by the road drainage system, which is a matter for Lancashire County Council. It's a complicated system and not designed to cope with extreme weather.

"The rainwater backs up and collects in the dip under Waddington Road Bridge. It only floods for a couple of hours, but motorists who try and drive through it often get stuck, causing traffic chaos.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the road often flooded in extreme storm conditions and had done since the bridge was built in 1890.

He said: "It's something we are well aware of and we have put signs up to warn road-users. Our Highways Department keeps an eye on the bridge and checks it every week, using jetting equipment to keep it clear. We do take steps year-round to keep things as trouble-free as possible and ensure houses are not affected."

Station Road and Clitheroe Road in Whalley also suffered minor flooding during Sunday's storm caused by leaf blockage in gulley grates.