A Rates shocker came through the letterboxes of Springwell’s residents in April 1978.

Families from 43 to 81 Auchinraith Terrace found their rates had risen substantially for the coming year of 1978/1979, despite them having fought and won a rates reduction the year before.

The resident had their rates lowered previously due to recognition that the new East Kilbride Expressway being built was right outside their windows. It had been understood that the rates reduction of £1.10 per fortnight (about £8 in todays money) was to be in force permanently, but residents soon found out it was only to be during the construction of the road works.

Mrs Lilliene Walsh, Secretary of the Springwells Tenants Association angry at the decision took the matter up with Councillors, explaining that their situation of facing out on to the progressing roadworks had not changed.

Today, nearly 40 years on, the problem of seeing the expressway isn’t anywhere near as apparent as before from those house due to the trees which have grown to quite a size screening much of the road, but there are still gaps, especially at bridges. In 1978, this view was certainly very different from looking out on to a disused railway.