Sir, It is becoming increasingly obvious that the park authority is out of touch with public opinion on many issues.

What is also apparent is that this authority seems to have even more power over our lives and cultural heritage than our elected representatives on the county and district councils.

This fanatic dedication to "preservation" is a policy that is proving to be disastrous for working people in the National Park.

To quote one of the few voices of reason on the authority, Steele Addison: "You can preserve jam but you cannot preserve the environment."

How true this is.

The environment is a constantly changing and evolving entity, and people are an integral part of that change.

It is impossible to separate people from the environment, and yet with this continual emphasis on "preservation at all costs" this is precisely what the NPA is trying to do.

Mr Addison should perhaps have added that jam, when preserved, eventually goes mouldy and becomes unpalatable.

Norman Park, Kendal