With so many buildings along Glasgow Road and adjoining roads derelict in 1978, a growing problem of vermin started to come to the forefront of residents attention.
The problem of rats for example was particularly bad at Craig Street and prompted residents there to lodge multiple complaints to Hamilton District Council. At a time before Asda, Craig Street continued on into where Asda Carpark is today and the rats were coming from a rubbish tip that had accumulated in that area.
During the first week in July ’78, the Council told residents not to panic and that the situation was under control. It was impossible to say what really caused the infestation, as there were many derelict buildings in the area.
Rat poison was put down, prompting later complaints of rotting rat corpses. It was just one more reason for the Council to get started on the demolition of Glasgow Road as quickly as possible.
From “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) 2017
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