Thousands of trees will be removed from a Paisley beauty spot as a disease spreads “aggressively” in the west of Scotland.

Around 3,500 will be cut down as part of major works at Gleniffer Braes, which will be carried out until the end of the month.

The patch of woodland will be felled because of phytophthora ramorum – a destructive, algae-like organism which causes extensive damage and death in some plant and forest species, including particularly susceptible larch trees.

A variety of species will be planted to replace the trees to minimise the impact of their loss on the landscape and this will be done on a one-for-one basis.

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Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast, said: “It is unfortunate and quite scary that so many trees need to be removed from the Braes, but I’m relieved to see replacement planting will happen on the level suggested.”

Elected members were made aware of the works at the Braes in an email from Renfrewshire Council’s StreetScene manager.

He said: “The disease ‘phytophthora ramorum’ has been aggressively spreading throughout the west coast since it was first discovered in 2002, and Renfrewshire is part of the risk reduction zone.

“Scottish Forestry confirmed an outbreak of phytophthora ramorum within the Braes and we have been served with our third stage statutory plant health notice which requires the removal of all larch trees within a designated radius control zone.

“This will see approximately 3,500 trees removed within the control zones.

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“A variety of species will be planted to replace the larch that are felled to minimise the impact of their loss in the landscape.

“We are committed to replacement planting (one-for-one basis) of the 3,500 trees in suitable locations on the Braes or elsewhere in Renfrewshire.

“Works are due to run until the end of the month and there will be disruption in the area, including at the Robertson, Sergeant Law and Neilston sub-station car parks.

“Sergeant Law Road and Gleniffer Road will also be periodically closed to allow the works to take place and vehicles to remove the timber from the site.”

Anyone in the area during the period of works has been advised to avoid accessing the woodlands.