Yes, it was absolutely right to relieve capacity on WCML, but a route closer to the M1 corridor with a spur via Birmingham would have achieved that, whilst providing far more sensible links to Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds, before we even start on less environmental damage. The studies that decided the route were all about finding problems with the M1 route, and misguidedly serving Heathrow, rather than finding ways to best serve the country. Crossrail and Heathrow should have been a spur, not a route choice. So both wrong route AND wrong Government!