Springburn Virtual Museum

Springburn in transition

Building of maisonettes, Galloway Street, 1967-68

By the 1950s, almost 3000 new houses had been built in Balornock and Barmulloch, and most of the land there had been used up. Many more new houses were needed, but the government would not permit Glasgow to build on the greenbelt.

'Overspill' was one of several polices implemented to attempt to deal with the problem, and many Springburn people went to live in Cumbernauld, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch.

High-rise building was seen as another solution. These maisonettes were built in 1967, the same year as the old Cowlairs Cottages ('The Blocks') were demolished. Along with much other housing of this type, the maisonettes suffered from dampness and have required extensive refurbishment in recent years.

Source: Tom Weir