How easy is it to remove the top steering wheel column stroud? Is it simply a case of removing a few screws from the bottom shroud?

I believe it's a steering wheel off job.

I looked into it once, it didn't appear to be that hard, just scary removing the explosives from the steering wheel!!

I'd check with Haynes to be sure.

the Casings around the steering wheel are screwed together, if you need to remove the steering wheel for any reason, disconnect the battery, and get a large head screw driver (or similar) and locate the 2 holes in rear or steering wheel to release to airbag (do carefully so not to damage connecting wires)

And re-connect and re-fit airbag before re-connecting battery)

No need to remove the steering wheel. There are screws from underneath (vertical plane) plus a socket head one close to the adjuster and if you turn the wheel 90 degrees in each direction you will see two screws in the horizontal plane, for which you will need a long thin screwdriver. If you remove the bezel around the dash pod the top cover will come away completely as there is a fabric cover which connects to both.

Thanks for the replies guys, most useful.