In view of the concern voiced repeatedly in letters to the Gazette in recent months about the Kendal Market Place trees, I have written to Councillor Graham Vincent and his fellow South Lakeland District Council cabinet members expressing the hope that they will have reconsidered their decision to fell them as a starting point in a re-landscaping scheme.

The contribution these trees make to a town centre more devoid than most of mature trees, and their special value as a publicly very accessible roost site for hundreds of pied wagtails, are clearly much appreciated, and one correspondent (Cliff Brown, February 2) has provided some useful professional advice on how to look after them in a way that would enable them to continue to grace the Market Place for many years to come.

It is difficult to understand the contention that they have reached the end of their natural life, and the damage they may be causing to the surrounding wall structure suggests it is the suitability and future of that structure, rather than of the trees, which needs to be considered.

The idea of a public consultation exercise to determine the future of the Market Place is obviously good, but if the public is presented with a fait accompli regarding the very issue which has caused most concern, it would be bound to impact negatively on how seriously that exercise is regarded.

Andrew McCullagh

Cotterdale