A hedgerow row has broken out in Skelmorlie.

Proposals that the hedges, which run alongside plots and footpaths in part of Innes Park Road, should be removed and replaced with railings have split opinion in the village.

Those who favour removal of the hedges say they become overgrown and restrict access, especially for mums with prams and delivery men. And when it’s raining, they say, people get soaked when brushing past the wet foliage.

But those who want to keep them say they are an attractive feature providing a habitat for small birds and insects and giving shelter from rain, wind and snow.

The “News” understands the council do not cut the hedges until late in the season to prevent disturbing nesting birds — and that has been blamed for them becoming overgrown.

Community council chairwoman Helen Boyle is fighting to keep the hedges, which surround plots between 12 and 34 Innes Park Road.

She told the “News” she was appalled to hear of the project to remove the hedges when she went on a recent “walkabout” in the street with councillors and representatives of Streetscene and Skelmorlie Tenants and Residents Association (STAR).

“As a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, I object to this project as these hedges are a habitat for small birds, insects and provide shelter from wind and snow,” she said.

“Do they realise that removing these hedges will cause flooding into Innes Park Road as the hedges hold water and cutting them down would deprive our wildlife of a place of safety and turn the street into a ghetto?” Meanwhile, STAR has asked tenants to post their views on the matter on their Facebook page.

One tenant, Bill Baillie, states on Facebook that the hedges enhance the area and the railings will get rusty going by previous experiences.

But Linda Simpson writes: “I don’t mind the hedges to a point, it’s when they are needing cut that I don’t like them . . . So personally I want the hedges to go.” Star chairwoman Billie Walker said she wanted the hedges removed because of the difficulties caused when they were overgrown and wet. But because she did not live in that part of the road she said it was important that residents who would be most affected should be asked how they feel about the hedges.

Billie said the council would make a decision in the New Year.