"I would suggest that this is still a possibility even though rail infrastructure would be the ultimate."
Slurry pipe was and still IS a Possibility, just not likely."

NOT posed the slurry line as, not the ultimate way to go, but what they could feasibly do if necessary. I believe it was a shot across the bow of those thinking that NOT would be stuck if held to ransom. I think NOT will wait and see what goes but if it's looking like things will seize up politically I would expect them to brandish the pipeline sabre. I don't think they'll have to though as I suspect things are going to move before that necessity.