I certainly agree that current plans to increase capacity
on Network Rail are predicated on the extremely
questionable assumption that passenger numbers will at
least remain at present levels and will probably continue
to rise.

Any Government suggesting that a fairly small drop in
passenger numbers in London removes any need for more
capacity will have to fend off counter-suggestions that HS2
is now redundant. The case for HS2 is far, far weaker than
the case for more capacity in London.