To quibble over the cost of £1 seems to suggest that they do not put any value on our countryside.

I would think that £1 for a day's entertainment in this day and age represents excellent value for money.

How much would it cost to go to a top sporting event, cinema, theatre or meal out?

A lot more for perhaps only two hours enjoyment!

These people, and others as well, all seem to think of an excuse to blame other interest groups for the decline in our countryside, rather than accept that they too are to blame.

No matter how small the damage caused by one individual, thousands of feet will cause as much of an erosion problem, as hooves and mountain bike tyres.

The £1 parking fee could be used to help restore the paths, because no matter how much we all object to paying for the privilege of visiting our countryside, it will not pay for itself, and if present trends continue, there will soon be no countryside left.

ANDREW SMITH

Reaseheath College.

REGARDING a recent letter in your newspaper written by P Buckley, I have been a visitor to Delamere Forest and have too seen the fallen trees with their branches left to rot.

What P Buckley has failed to note is that although this may not look like a well cared for forest, these rotting trees are actually giving homes to many animals and plants.

It is people who are of the same opinion who need to be educated and perhaps with car parking fees, money could go towards Interpretation Boards and leaflets, from which people could learn more about why trees are left.

R MACONEY

Reaseheath College.

WITH reference to the letter concerning car parking and other matters at Delamere Forest.

As a regular user of Delamere, I disagree with the writer's statement that damage is caused by cyclists and horse riders, in fact it is all users of the forest that cause damage.

So if fees are introduced, all should pay a minimal amount and proceeds should go to the regeneration and upkeep of the forest.

MARK SHELLEY

Reaseheath College.

REGARDING the letters published in the Guardian on February 3 concerning car parking at Delamere Forest.

From my knowledge as a student at Reaseheath College, the comments made in the letter 'The Burning Issue' are total rubbish.

The fact that the writer, P Buckley, thinks that the fallen trees and dead branches have been left to rot is simply incorrect.

These piles are in fact habitat piles which are placed in strategic places to help nature take its course.

And finally, if he/she cannot be bothered to pay a measly £1 car parking fee then how does he/she expect the park to be taken care of!

I suggest that people research and think about what they are writing before they send letters like that.

JONATHON BAILEY

Wybunbury.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.