The decision not to extend HS2 beyond the West Midlands has been labelled the "worst of all worlds" by Kenilworth's MP.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced at the Conservative Party Conference today (October 4) the high speed rail line will not reach Manchester, but will instead stop at the new Curzon Street Station in Birmingham.

The PM said he would be investing the money saved in new transport projects across the country.

But having spent much of the last week calling on Mr Sunak to continue with the full length of the line, MP for Kenilworth and Southam Sir Jeremy Wright criticised the decision.

"Today's announcement does not change the effect of HS2 on my constituents, but it substantially weakens the strategic case for the project, which was always based on high speed rail reaching at least as far North as Manchester," he told Nub News.

"Building only part of what was planned is the worst of all worlds and means we are suffering local pain for little national gain.

"I think therefore that, having passed the point of no return on phase 1, the government should have finished the job."

However, Mr Sunak said in his speech today that the line is no longer commercially viable.

"The facts have changed and the right thing to do when the facts change is have the courage to change direction", he said.