OLDHAM West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has emphasised the need for the High Speed Rail 2 connection to be made in Greater Manchester sooner rather than later.

In a debate on HS2 in Parliament, Mr McMahon acknowledged the vulnerable nature of the project currently as he made the case for increased investment in the North.

HS2 is widely believed a stepping stone to northern investment and transport equality and Mr McMahon believes it is vital for the future of the region.

He said: “There is little doubt that the project is vulnerable, some critics will point to overspend and others to the impact on areas along the route, but too often MPs in the north are asked to support scrapping the project to fund other local transport schemes.

“When does London have to choose between investment and good transport? The answer is they don’t. So why should we? We deserve a fair shot and that starts with fair funding."

Funding inequality has long been an issue between London and the rest of the country, not least of all in the northern towns like Oldham.

Mr McMahon said: “We want fair funding; HS2 but also better east-west connectivity and better trans Pennine links. We also want to bring back the many bus routes cut after losing over 30 million bus miles a year in Greater Manchester alone.”

Jim McMahon added that he wants to see the project completed and even expanded upon in the future, giving northerners access to France via the Eurotunnel whilst reducing the impact of air travel on the environment with a more viable fast alternative route available to Oldhamers and people across the north.