Alan Lord (Letters, January 21, 'Solution is Ludicrous') is correct to say the amounts of rainfall on December 5, were unprecedented. Some flooding was almost certainly inevitable.

Climate change scientists say rainfall levels will increase as global temperature increases. Global climate has already increased by 1 degree centigrade. This might not sound a lot. However, during the last ice age global temperatures were only 5 degrees centigrade lower than they are now. Small global temperature changes equal big effects.

However, Mr Lord is incorrect to say that widespread landslides did not happen. From my own observations while walking up Place Fell from Boredale, near Ullswater, I could see at least ten landslips on the western flank of Beda Fell. Each landslip was between 10 and 30 metres wide and dropped at least 100 metres down the fell, releasing tons of soil and boulders into the area and streams below.

The damage done to Glenridding was partly because of landslips higher up obstructing the river. There were also major landslips blocking the roads at Howtown and Dunmail raise. These are just a few examples. Soil and boulders in the rivers provided 'ammunition' to help water destroy roads, bridges and walls. Just look at the amount of boulders being dug out of the River Kent in Kendal.

Numerous studies around the world have shown that the roots of trees and plants act like nets, helping to hold the soil in place. The roots, along with shade from the trees, also keep the soil moist and healthy so that it can absorb and drain lots of water.

When trees and plants get cut down, those root systems die and decompose. The soil dries out and becomes very loose. Then, when very heavy rain falls, the soil can wash away in a mudslide. This is most likely to happen where the ground is steep, like on the side of a hill or small mountain. On a slope, tree roots help to hold the land together and pin it to the solid ground well below the surface.

Mr Lord is correct that the soil in many parts of the Lake District is poor quality and shallow. That is further reason to look after and improve what we have by improving the management of the upstream mountain areas.

Encouragingly, I have recently been out on environmentally focused days with 'Friends of the Lake District'. There have been some large tree planting projects, partly funded by the EU. If successful, they will help to manage water run off by slowing it down. Research has shown that where trees are planted water run off can be slowed by as much as a factor of 67. Plants like Juniper and heather also stabilise the ground.

Einstein once said that 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result'. The Lake District is a beautiful place but some change to upland management is necessary and can be environmentally beneficial in a number of ways, not just in reducing flooding.

John Wright

Kendal