In recent weeks, I have found it really quite interesting that Harry Shearer, most famous of late for his voice in 'The Simpsons' as Mr. Burns, Smithers and Ned Flanders, has taken on a new role starring as the disgraced president Richard Nixon in a play about Oval Office recordings.

Although at first sight it is difficult to see the connection (no pun intended), my interest is the link between the tapes and our high-speed rail network (HS2).