Cardowan

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Cardowan
os_grid_reference= NS665682
population= Unknown
unitary_scotland= North Lanarkshire
lieutenancy_scotland= Lanarkshire
map_type=Scotland
latitude=55.8879
longitude=-4.1368
post_town= GLASGOW
postcode_district = G33
postcode_area= G
dial_code= 0141
constituency_westminster= Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
constituency_scottish_parliament= Coatbridge and Chryston

Cardowan, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, situated to the south of Stepps, is a residential area on the north-eastern outskirts of Glasgow which grew around Cardowan Colliery, Garnkirk Fire-clay works, and clay mines in the immediate area.Since the closure of the colliery in 1983, the village became a commuter area for Glasgow, with good rail transport via Stepps station and the nearby M80.Cardowan's geographical location between Glasgow and Cumbernauld has been key to its expansion over the years, and has seen the old mining pit being transformed into a large scale property development which is estimated to have taken the area's population above 4,000. The area also has a camping site, which has proved popular which international tourists over the years.

Transport

The fastest method of public transport into Glasgow or Cumbernauld is by train via Stepps train station, which is located at this bridge which connects Cardowan to Stepps. A bus service is also available in Stepps which can take you to the above destinations, however services can be unreliable.If travelling by private transport (e.g. car), there is an excellent choice of routes, to Glasgow you can use the M80 from Stepps or the M8 at Riddrie which will also take you to Edinburgh. The A80, from Stepps, is the main road to Cumbernauld and also provides access to the M73, leading to the M74 which will take you to Hamilton, South Lanarkshire and the M6 (to England)

History

The earliest buildings in the area are Craigendmuir House, Garnkirk House, as well as older structures in adjacent Stepps.Excluding Cardowan Drive and the northern end of Cardowan Road which are often regarded as being part of Stepps, the earliest housing in the area which is still existing was built in the late 1930s to early 40s and served to replace housing in the (now extinct) nearby villages of Garnkirk and Heathfield.

The streets of Cardowan Road, Dorlin Road, Clayhouse Road, and Frankfield Road were constructed first, with the easternmost end of the latter being renamed Ardtoe Crescent and Place a short time time later.Due to the shortages of buiding materials during the second World War the last three blocks on Frankfield Road were built with flat roofs which were only replaced in the 1980s. Thereafter further housing was built in the 1950s creating the streets of Craigendmuir Road, Comedie Road and an extension to Clayhouse Road. Following this in the 1960s, Drimnin Road, and Mossview Road (inc Resipol Road and Gaskin Path) were completed.The 1980s brought the construction of Blaneview and further housing on Clayhouse Road, and in the 1990s Nicholson Court was built on the site of the original Stepps railway station and sidings.

References

* cite book
last = Bunyan
first = Freda; Kidd, Neil
title = The Story of Stepps
publisher = Strathkelvin District Libraries
year = 1996
id = ISBN 0-904966-44-5