Many residents on the Avondale estate in Ash Vale have suffered from repeated flooding, and in May 2019 Michael wrote to SSE in wholehearted support of the application submitted by the 6th Avondale Residents Association for a  resilience grant.

Such a grant will enable the installation of a flood-defence wall, and Michael has asked SSE to look favourably upon the Association’s application.

Michael hopes to chair a meeting in the near future between local residents and representatives from Network Rail and the Environment Agency to discuss the future maintenance of the ditches alongside the railway line next to the estate, to ensure they provide better drainage.