Politicians in Bury have shared their thoughts after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Manchester leg of the HS2 railway line will be scrapped. 

It has been one of the key points of debate during the Conservative party conference in Manchester following weeks of speculation.

The HS2 northern links are to be replaced by a new transport network.

Sunak confirmed that he would "end the long-running saga" and instead pledged £36bn to new transport projects.

the government will invest money into hundreds of new transport projects in the North and the Midlands.

Among those could be extending the Metrolink network to Heywood, Bolton and Wigan.

The Prime Minister also added that the government will protect the £12bn to link Manchester and Liverpool, which was also planned under HS2.

Read more: Rishi Sunak receives furious backlash after scrapping HS2

Conservative Bury North MP James Daly agrees with the move.

He said: “We cannot continue pouring billions in taxpayer money into a bloated scheme that no longer delivers good value for money.

“The alternative the Prime Minister has announced today delivers more for towns in the north like Bury.

"The vast majority of journeys in our town are made by bus, tram and car.

“Connectivity across the north and local investment is more beneficial to people in Bury than shaving off a bit of travel time between Manchester city centre and central London.

“The Prime Minister has taken a tough decision which I believe is a necessary decision that will make a positive difference for people in Bury.”

Bury Conservatives leader Cllr Russell Bernstein backed the project as well.

He said: “I welcome the commitment from the Prime Minister to reinvest the £36bn pound from HS2 in other transport connections across the country.

“I am confident that Greater Manchester will derive quicker and more immediate benefits from this announcement.”

Read more: Bury road closures: 2 for motorists to avoid over next fortnight

Read more: Stuck lorry causes early morning traffic chaos

But Labour Bury South MP Christian Wakeford has criticised the decision.

He said: “What message does this send? That people in the North are worth less than those in the South?

“That the UK is not a serious place to invest or do business?

“That the Tories simply do not care about Victorian infrastructure holding back the North?

“I don't see long term decisions at this conference. I see short term, desperate decisions from a dying government.”