But the council’s environmental chief has admitted that, at the moment, he cannot guarantee there will be no more flooding.

He was responding to complaints by Provost Robert Moran about traffic gridlock caused by Wednesday’s snowstorm.

The Provost told the environmental and regeneration committee: “The whole place was gridlocked. If we spend this money will we still be in the same position if we have the same sort of weather?” Ian Moffat, head of environmental and commercial services, said the snow wasn’t forecast, but his team did everything in their power to grit roads.

He said: “On flooding, the actions we take will go a long way to preventing it, but with the topography of Inverclyde and the changing and severe weather patterns, it would be wrong for me to suggest we could prevent any future flooding.” Mr Moffat said the local authority is working with professional engineers and partners such as Transport Scotland, Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to try to improve flooding issues.

His staff were praised by deputy council leader, Councillor Jim Clocherty, who said: “They do tremendous work whenever we have a deluge or snow.” Councillors agreed that spending an additional £950,000 on flood prevention should be recommended to the policy and resources committee when they consider the 2015 budget.

This will go towards trying to stop flooding of businesses and properties hit by the storm at the end of October.

Areas to be tackled include Steel Street in Gourock, Lower Bouverie Street, Port Glasgow, Market Place and Gowkhouse Road in Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village.

It is also hoped to make improvements at Cumberland Road in Greenock.

Mr Moffat added: “There are a number of flood projects, such as the West Station, Oak Mall and East Hamilton Street that the design of a solution will require multi-faceted and detailed discussions with Scottish Water, Transport Scotland, Network Rail and private property owners.

“Officers have met several times with Scottish Water, Transport Scotland and private property owners, and will bring back a report on potential joint future investment requirements for these schemes.” Meanwhile, the detailed design phase of the Central Greenock flood prevention scheme is about 80 per cent complete.

But Mr Moffat said: “The design of a solution for the flooding at West Station has identified that the extent and volume of potential surface water flow is significantly greater than originally understood.

“During the pre-design investigations, additional information received from SEPA demonstrated the full extent of the catchment area and sources of overland flow.

“The proposed solution will require multi-faceted and detailed discussions with Transport Scotland, Scottish Water and Network Rail to consider solutions which will be of benefit to all organisations.

“The final cost of this scheme will be subject to a further report.”