Well, I think it's an idea that grew out of control, fuelled by various self-interest factors.

If you remember, the modern proposal originated with David Cameron, (remember him?) trying to gain West Country votes. Of course, it couldn't have carried on without the support of HE, whose job it is to voice what the Government wants, and EH, whose job it isn't that but who are coincidentally going to get a multi, multi million monopoly out of it and the National Trust who used to be against it but switched sides for a reason no-one knowsbut which investigative historians may one day unearth.

I agree with you June. Make it longer, at about 0.3% of the cost of HS2.