Over about the past two months there have been many letters in the Gazette in favour of keeping the birch trees in the Market Place at Kendal and the much-appreciated bonus of the roosting wagtails.

Indeed several letters have questioned the desirability at all for spending a huge amount of money here.

Nevertheless, everything indicates that the council will barge ahead with its plans regardless of the 'public consultation' promised in the article on February 23.

Indeed, the total disregard for the public’s wishes is shown by the fact that the consultation closes on March 10, but the trees are due to be removed 'early March', which suggests it will go regardless of the outcome of the consultation.

The claim that 'arboricultural investigations' say the trees are 'reaching the end of their natural life span' is not credible: the trees are young and vigorous. Likewise the 'consultation with the RSPB' does not remove the fact that the wagtails will be driven out. The first removal should be the silly signpost, a rather childish joke, which no doubt cost a substantial sum.

It is even leans over at a crazy angle. I suspect I am not the only one who cannot see the cost-benefit of this entire scheme and would like it to be scrapped and the money used for a better cause (of which there are many, of which I can easily name a few).

Kent Brooks

Kendal