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.