Under plans to develop the site for housing, The Trafford Music Service is being made to relocate from Sale to Stretford.
It is suggested by Trafford Council that the music service relocate to Stretford Library which, in turn will be relocated to a vacant retail shop in Stretford Mall. The former Bon Marche unit at 37-38 The Mall has been selected as the preferred relocation site for the library, but already library users have voiced their concerns that the unit will not accommodate all the existing library services.
With 1500 students set to use the music service in Stretford there is concern that the move will result in children being required to, if travelling by car, park at Stretford Mall and cross a busy dual carriageway. The A56 road which is used by many to get to the Stretford Library is busy with traffic especially after school hours which will make it difficult to reach the class on time, forcing parents to start their journeys much earlier than otherwise required. Also for those students looking to come by tram, it would also require them to cross a dual carriageway.
The children that attend the music service are as young as four years of age and come from across the borough. Many parents are very concerned about the council’s profit-focused approach regarding the school. Rupali Paul, a local mother and Conservative campaigner whose son has regularly attended the music service, is very concerned about the plans by Trafford’s Labour Council.
Rupali said “The music service has been a vital part of my son’s life and I was hoping my daughter would also be able to attend. There are several reasons why the move is unwelcome. The new location is dangerous to get to for children travelling on their own, the lessons are usually after school and having to cross over a major highway is worrying. The new site has no growth potential so it’s not likely that more children will be able to benefit from the Trafford Music Service and this move highlights that the council has no vision for music in the borough. It appears as a resident that this council is more interested in selling off land for development knowing that Trafford is brimming over with children and the council has few available empty school places. I can’t understand why the council can’t invest in the building where the music service is currently located using the government’s retrofit money that was given to Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This funding could be used to upgrade the heating systems, replace the window and invest in this fantastic gem.”
Anyone with concerns about the council’s plans can email Rupali Paul at rupali4conservatives@gmail.com or fill in the petition on the Trafford Conservative website to help alert the council to residents concerns..