To September 1977 next. Mums from Springwells, campaigning for a lollipop man on Auchinraith Road, blocked traffic by forming a “human wall” on the first Monday morning of that month. The very next day however, a child was knocked down and badly hurt at the very scene of the demonstration.
Concern then turned to anger as the mums heard that their worst fears had been realised. This time the “wall” blocked Auchinraith Road for half an hour and the police had to move people on. They then marched through Blantyre taking their children safely to school.
The little boy who was knocked down was John Allan (5) of Auchinraith Terrace. He was taken to Hairmyres with a broken thigh and his condition was considered serious at the time.
After a petition was signed by many mums, a lollipop man was stationed on Auchinraith Road but bizarrely was taken off duty by the council on the very day the children returned form a mid term break. The mums made their appeal to Councillor Malcolm Waugh after a survey revealed more than 200 pupils an hour were crossing the road on approach to schools. The results were also sent to police.
Following the accident, a temporary traffic warden was put in place. Do YOU recognise anybody in these photos? Perhaps YOU remember this protest?
