Unemployment Solution (and concerns)

April 1933 saw the county propose a solution to some local unemployment. However, the report also suggests some concern about the utilisation of such labour on their proposal. The Motherwell Times of 28th April 1933 says, “Representations were made to Lanark County Council recently that a number of schemes of necessary work could be undertaken with a view to relieving unemployment in different parts of Lanarkshire. It was suggested that the following schemes could be started forthwith:

(l) A road-widening scheme at Eastfield to the centre of Cambuslang;
(2) the lifting of car rails from Bell shill West to Bothwell Bridge and the rebuilding of bridges between Bellshill and Uddingston; (3) rebuilding and repairing the bridges at Auchenraith and Victoria Street, Blantyre; and
(4) widening Bellshill Cross and widening of Calder Road Bridge.

Lanark County Council have made inquiries regarding the feasibility of the schemes outlined by deputations from the unemployed and have come to the view that they would not assist in relieving unemployment. It is pointed ’out the County Council that apart from the considerable expense likely to be involved much of the work would call for the utilisation of skilled operatives. The scheme of road widening at Cambuslang has already been sanctioned, and the liiting of tramway rails from Bellshill to Bothwell Bridge has been included in the County Council’s estimates for next year’s programme of work.

Pictured are the bridges at Auchenaith and Victoria Street around the same time of this report.