RESIDENTS in Kilbarchan have raised fears over the safety of motorists and pedestrians travelling under overhanging tree branches on a busy road.

Homeowners in Barn Green are concerned a serious accident could happen unless the long branches are given a much-needed trim.

Adam Johnston, who is one of the worried residents, told The Gazette: “I first contacted Renfrewshire Council in October last year to report that vehicles, particularly high-sided lorries and double-decker buses, were hitting the branches.

“Some of the branches have been hit so many times now that they have broken off and were lying on the road until I moved them.

“The main concern is that a large branch could come down on a vehicle and go through a windscreen or fall on top of somebody.”

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, said residents had been trying to get the council to cut back overhanging branches for more than six months.

He added: “I am a very patient person and I know the council has been stretched over the last year dealing with Covid but, at the instigation of a constituent who lives in Barn Green, we have been asking for an inspection and cutback of these trees since October 9, 2020.

“Barn Green is a key route through Kilbarchan and, in December, a school bus hit a branch and it broke off.

“The central issue of health and safety for drivers is bad enough but trees whose branches grow excessively also post a line of sight risk for pedestrians.

“I could understand the six-month delay if it was internal work but this is work outside, which simply does not have the same risks.

“I demand Renfrewshire Council gets its act together and gets this done.”

A council spokesperson said: “As the trees in this request from October are under a Tree Preservation Order (TPR), we had to seek permission to cut them back and this was granted in February.

“They were then added to the list of works to be undertaken and are due to be completed in the coming weeks. We will reassess whether any emergency works are required before then and will ensure we keep the councillor and community updated.”