Labour councillors on Trafford Council have voted to commence a consultation on establishing a Temporary Stopping Place for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people on Boyer Street in Stretford.
A Temporary Stopping Place is a facility that is made available when Gypsies or Travellers visit a community. Often facilities such as waste bins or portable toilets are provided, paid for by the taxpayer.
Boyer Street runs alongside an Audi workshop and the old Greater Manchester Police headquarters where the land is earmarked for a residential led mixed-use development including 758 new homes and a hotel.
Commenting on the news, a spokesperson for North Trafford Conservatives said “Local Conservatives have concerns about Boyer Street potentially being used a Temporary Stopping Place for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Located near the Old Trafford stadiums and despite having double yellow lines on both sides of the road, Boyer Street is used as an illegal car park on match days and this is not regularly challenged by the council or Greater Manchester Police. There is a concern regarding the likelihood of community tension on match days between those operating the illegal car park and travellers using the site.
“We also realise that the proposal to provide a Stopping Place is a sensitive topic and North Trafford Conservatives are interested to hear the views of local residents. We will then inform the council of the headline results of the survey.”
