Stretford - Geography

Geography

Further information: Geography of Greater Manchester

Stretford
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D 70 8 2 70 8 2 50 10 3 63 13 5 51 16 8 58 19 10 54 21 12 69 21 12 63 18 10 88 14 7 82 10 4 78 7 2 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: World Weather Online
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 2.8 46 36 2.8 46 36 2 50 37 2.5 55 41 2 61 46 2.3 66 50 2.1 70 54 2.7 70 54 2.5 64 50 3.5 57 45 3.2 50 39 3.1 45 36 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Stretford occupies an area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km2), just north of the River Mersey, at 53°26′48″N 2°18′31″W / 53.44667°N 2.30861°W / 53.44667; -2.30861 (53.4466, –2.3086). The area is generally flat, sloping slightly southwards towards the river valley, and is approximately 150 feet (46 m) above sea level at its highest point. The most southerly part of Stretford lies within the flood plain of the River Mersey, and so has historically been prone to flooding. A great deal of flood mitigation work has been carried out in the Mersey Valley since the 1970s, with the stretch of the Mersey through Stretford canalised to speed up the passage of floodwater. Emergency floodbasins have also been constructed, Sale Water Park being a prominent local example, lying immediately to the south of Stretford.

Stretford comprises the local areas of Old Trafford, Gorse Hill, Trafford Park and Firswood. Its climate is generally temperate, with few extremes of temperature or weather. The mean temperature is slightly above average for the United Kingdom. Annual rainfall and average amount of sunshine are both slightly below the average for the UK.

Stretford's built environment developed along the A56 road in two separate sections, corresponding to the original two manors. The area in the south, near to the border with Sale, grew around the church of St Matthew – an old alternative name for the town was Stretford St. Matthew. The northern part of Stretford was centred on Old Trafford, with undeveloped countryside separating them. During the 19th century, the sections merged.

The western terminus of the early medieval linear earthwork Nico Ditch is in Hough Moss, just to the east of Stretford (grid reference SJ82819491); it was probably used as an administrative boundary and dates from the 8th or 9th century.

Areas and suburbs of Stretford Firswood Gorse Hill Old Trafford Trafford Park