'People won't forget how Manchester was treated': Andy Burnham furious on eve of crucial HS2 announcement

Mancunians 'won't forget' how the government 'treated the city', mayor Andy Burnham said on the eve of the crucial HS2 announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Speaking at a hastily-organised press conference outside the Central Library tonight (October 3) - yards from the entrance to the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester Central - the Greater Manchester Mayor addressed reports the decision to scrap the northern leg had been made, to be confirmed by the PM on Wednesday.

Mr Burnham said it was 'no way to treat this city when you're in this city'. It comes amid reports the northern leg WILL be scrapped. The HS2 line will stop at Birmingham, where trains will continue to Manchester on the existing West Coast Mainline track, Sky News has reported.

READ MORE: Andy Burnham and Northern leaders' last-ditch plan to save HS2 if Rishi Sunak axes Manchester leg

READ MORE: LIVE - HS2 updates as protest held in Manchester and latest reports suggest northern leg WILL be SCRAPPED

The outlet said the line will start in central London at Euston, rather than Old Oak Common, but between Birmingham and Manchester, trains will not be high-speed. Mr Burnham tweeted: "So, in other words, HS2 won't go to Manchester and people in the North will be treated as second-class citizens - again? What a disgrace."

It is predicted Mr Sunak will announce a package of transport measures - improving roads, buses and trains - reported to be worth up to £30bn to soften the blow. The big spending promise is likely to placate bitterly disappointed northerners.

Mr Burnham, accompanied by Manchester council leader Bev Craig, delivered an impassioned last-ditch plea to keep the rail link in full. In a night of high political drama, the pair