As the New Year approaches, it is time for The Messenger to review some of the biggest stories in 2022.

Here is Part One.

JANUARY

Kate Green sought talks with Royal Mail after a number of residents complained of no deliveries in months.

Some Stretford roads were receiving their post as normal, but other roads were not receiving their post at all.

This was a result of sickness and staff shortages, Royal Mail said, and it assured residents it was working to resolve the issue.

FEBRUARY

Drivers avoided cones and signs to use a road although it was closed as a result of a storm.

Mile Road was closed after Storm Franklin left a large amount of water in the carriageway.

However, drivers went through the water in the carriageway or onto the pavement to avoid the worst of it. Trafford Council made an appeal for them to pack it in.

MARCH

Trafford Council approved proposals for the demolition and redevelopment of Stretford Mall.

All but one member of the Planning and Development Management Committee were in support of the plans, which were submitted by the council themselves and developer Bruntwood Works.

The works on phase one of the proposals are set to start soon, and include the restoration of King Street as a high street with bars, restaurants, retailers and a market hall with more of the same.

APRIL

A construction company was taken to court after a collapse at one of its sites in Stretford.

Builders were at work on a loft conversion on Arlington Road at the time of the incident. 

At Manchester Magistrates' Court, Mughal Construction Limited was ordered to cover a £30,000 fine and £3,000 in costs.

MAY

The leader of the Conservative Group lost his seat on Trafford Council on a disastrous day for the Tories in the elections.

Nathan Evans, a councillor for Timperley Ward, lost his set to Will Frass of the Liberal Democrats.

Elsewhere, other wards to turn their back on the Conservative Group were Ashton Upon Mersey, Hale Central and Village.

JUNE

A school in Sale won one of two awards for which it was shortlisted at the Times Educational Supplement (TES) Schools Awards.

Lime Tree Primary Academy was shortlisted for 'Early Years Foundation Stage Setting of The Year' and 'SEND Provision in a Mainstream Setting of the Year', and won the latter at an event at The Grosvenor in London.

The school, which is a part of Bright Futures Educational Trust, was praised for its support to SEND students and to their families. 


This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.