Today (October 4), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he was scrapping plans for the HS2 train service between Birmingham and Manchester.

The Oldham Times has looked at some of the reaction from leaders in Oldham and Manchester following the announcement.

Leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrats Cllr Howard Sykes said: "After all the empty talk we’ve heard from this government about levelling up, this latest betrayal over HS2 shows what they really think of Greater Manchester. 

"As always, the Conservatives have no ambition for the north of England, their levelling-up promise has come to nothing.  They continue to treat us as second class when it comes to investing in transport."

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has been critical of the Conservative Party throughout its party conference in Manchester.

Mr Burnham tweeted today: "'Politicians saying things and nothing ever happening,' says the PM.

"Does he mean 10-year-old Tory promises to build a Northern Powerhouse?"

Mr Burnham said in a press conference: "It’s hard not to feel the Conservative Party has not shown the courage or conviction to turn those statements into reality.

"Does this country have it within it to stop treating people here in the north as second-class citizens when it comes to transport and put them at the front of the queue rather than the back of the queue?"

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This was after Mr Burnham said on BBC Breakfast this morning: "Announcing in Manchester that HS2 will not go to Manchester, shows contempt for the place.

"It's no way to treat the city of Manchester when Rishi Sunak is here, hosting his conference."

Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig said at the same press conference: "This bit of HS2 being axed today is the final nail in the coffin for what we see around that infrastructure project to connect the north.

"Today we’re faced with more questions than answers."

Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, said: “The cancelling of the northern leg of HS2 is naturally disappointing. It’s undeniable that this will be seen by many as a missed opportunity for the region, and the country as a whole."

He did, however, welcome the announcement of investment into transport projects in the region.

Oldham Council was approached for a comment from council leader Arooj Shah, as were the Oldham Conservatives.