Neighbours have clashed fiercely over plans to reinstall pre-Second World War bollards on two Richmond greens.

The Friends of Richmond Green (Forg) have asked for support from people to have the bollards reinstated on Richmond Green and Little Green, after they were removed during World War II for scrap metal.

But opponents said the project was a waste of money and have launched a campaign to stop the plans. There are currently 49 bollards in place opposite Maids of Honour Row, with some bearing the crest of King William IV.

Forg came up with the idea to erect posts painted with the Queen’s crest and connecting railings as a way of commemorating the diamond jubilee.

Richmond Council has set aside £5,000 from its civic pride fund and £100,000 has been raised by Forg through donations and grants from charities.

Laurence Bain and John Coates, who live in Richmond Green and Little Green, have circulated among neighbours a briefing paper, because they fear the bollards will enclose the historic greens, which have had unhindered access for almost 70 years.

Mr Coates, 50, said: “Enclosing both greens with a fence of bollards and railings will be a huge inconvenience for thousands of users who come to enjoy them as open spaces with free, unhindered access.

“Why should local tax payers have to pay for the maintenance of what is justly described as a vanity project for those few people promoting it?”

The fountain opposite the Cricketers pub could also be restored and Richmond Council, which is now managing the project, has planned path and entrance improvements around the green.

Chairman of Forg Vivien Harris, who has worked on the project for two years, was thankful for the support so far.

She said access points were clearly shown on the map drawn up by the council and Forg encouraged and welcomed events such as the May Fair.

She said: “We are talking about the most significant refurbishment of the green in living memory.

“We are all going to benefit from this – residents and the general public. We want to create a lasting legacy.”

The consultation, which launched on July 12, will end on August 5, and can be accessed via: richmond.gov.uk/current_consultations.

Bollards - a brief history

The village of Shene, renamed Richmond in 1501, grew up around The Green.

In Tudor times, the royal palace dominated its south side, courtiers jousted on it, Queen Elizabeth I walked on it and people pastured their horses, cows and sheep on it.

By the 18th century, the green had become more of a pleasure ground and was surrounded by a fence with gates for pedestrians.

From 1830 to 1837, during the reign of William IV, the fence was replaced by railings and bollards and many people considered it to be the finest green in England.

Most of the William IV bollards were removed and used as materials in the World War II effort.

In similar locations across London, similar features have been reinstalled, but on the Greens in Richmond all that remains are some William IV bollards as well as some crested Elizabeth II ones opposite the site of the former Tudor palace.