RAILWAY lines designed for high-speed trains averaging 185mph could be built in Wiltshire, following a review of the rail network.

A strategic review being conducted of Network Rail's five main routes throughout the UK, will cover the Great Western lines, which serve Chippenham and Westbury, and could see the introduction of the high speed lines.

John Ingram, chairman of the West Wilts Rail Users Network, thinks new lines for high speed trains would be "brilliant" albeit 20 years too late.

"The infrastructure of the country, the productivity of the industry and the standard of living is much restrained by the inadequacy of the current railway system," he said.

"It's a national disgrace that we have allowed it to degenerate in the way we have.

"If we could build these high speed lines it will free-up the traditional network for much more freight to go on the rail lines and not on the roads."

Network Rail is expected to announce the name of the successful consultancy firm to carry out the review by the end of July and an initial report will be completed by summer 2009.

According to Network Rail's statistics, passenger numbers have soared by 40 per cent in the last decade with 1.13bn journeys a year, the greatest number since 1946, when the network was twice the size.

Today around 22,000 services run on weekdays, up from 17,000 at the time of privatisation. In that time too, the amount of freight carried has gone up by 60 per cent.

Iain Coucher, Network Rail's chief executive said: "By 2025 many lines will be full up, especially those running to and from the north and west of London. This will happen even after we have implemented the investment to boost current capacity.

"With popularity for rail growing, we have to start planning for the medium and long-term future today. We have to see how we can meet the capacity challenge and see what solutions, including potentially that of new lines, are deliverable and affordable.

"This review, working in partnership with other players in the railway industry, will kick start this process."