I READ the online report about the plan to close the A591 Kendal Bypass between the Plumgarths roundabout and the Shenstone Interchange for 'devegetation works' for two evenings.

I believe this practice of habitat destruction to be wrong. At a time when we are looking at protecting our environment, to hear this section of road will be devegetated is appalling.

These verges provide essential habitat for insects, bees, small mammals and birds. Just yesterday, while driving to work in Kendal, I noticed a kestrel hunting over the verge. I often see barn owls here when on a night shift.

These birds do not just do this at random; they select areas where they have a greater chance of hunting success. These birds must have caught a vole or such likes here previously, probably to feed young, and so return to hunt.

If you looked closely at the variety of plant life here, you would see a multitude of insects and bees

We all know how important it is to protect habitats for bees but the insects as well form part of the diet of nesting birds, both during and after the breeding season.

The vegetation there will probably not grow any higher than it actually is now before it starts to die off.

I drive this route regularly and can see perfectly well along the road and over to the southbound carriageway and vice versa. I do not believe the need to cut this vegetation is purely down to improving visibility.

For example, the works carried out at Plumgarths roundabout were necessary to improve visibility. I suspect that short-sighted councillors have decided that these “weeds” need chopping away, based on some Victorian ethic of prettifying the landscape for the benefit of tourism or because this is what we have always done.

Without the finely balanced ecosystems here, it will become a desert and less wild.

In a time where we are being encouraged to rewild our gardens, surely now is the time for the local authority concerned to knock this practice on the head and leave it be.

I would much rather drive to work and see a kestrel hunting than very short grass and no flowers.

I would like to know what the relevant local authority thinks about this.

This is just a short section of road. Can you imagine how much habitat we are losing in the county, in the North West, in England, in the UK?

Our councillors should be leading the way and nipping it in the bud. Plus there is the financial implication of paying contractors to do the work - money that can be spent on more important things than tarting the place up.

Nick Kirkham

Beetham