 Trafford is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester , England . With an estimated population of about 211 @,@ 800 in 2006 , it covers 41 square miles ( 106 km2 ) and includes the towns of Altrincham , Partington , Sale , Stretford , and Urmston . The borough was formed on 1 April 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 as a merger of the municipal boroughs of Altrincham , Sale , and Stretford , the urban districts of Bowdon , Hale , and Urmston and part of Bucklow Rural District . All were previously in Cheshire , apart from Stretford and Urmston which were in Lancashire . The River Mersey flows through the borough , separating North Trafford from South Trafford . Historically the Mersey also acted as the boundary between the historic counties of Lancashire and Cheshire . 
