Proposals to reinstate double track on the Cotswold Line would bring a step change in train performance across a much wider area, a top Network Rail manager told Charlbury commuters.

Dave Ward, the company's western route director, said the project had been highlighted in the company's updated strategic business plan, alongside upgrade work on the key East Coast route, linking London and Scotland, because of the special benefits it would bring.

Oxfordmail.co.uk revealed exclusively on Friday that Network Rail is proposing putting back a second track from a point between Finstock and Charlbury to Ascott-under-Wychwood, and from Moreton-in-Marsh, in Gloucestershire, to Evesham, in Worcestershire.

The plan has been submitted to the Office for Rail Regulation, which will decide in June whether to approve funding.

Speaking on Friday at a meeting in Charlbury's Memorial Hall, organised by Witney MP and Conservative Party leader David Cameron, Mr Ward said extra double track would cut delays to Cotswold services, reducing knock-on problems on several other routes. He said: "Putting the capacity, performance and economic benefits together makes a good case for the work."

He added: "Between now and the first week in June, all who feel passionately about this need to undertake some lobbying on the potential benefits."

Mr Ward said that if the ORR gave the green light in June, work could start next January and be completed by May 2010.

Mr Cameron said: "It's hugely exciting to hear this. I will get together all the MPs along the Cotswold Line to write to the Rail Minister and push the case before June."

Asked why he was not proposing reinstating double track on the entire route, Mr Ward said: "This scheme gives 95 per cent of the benefits of that, at a third of the cost of full redoubling."

Also at the meeting were managers from First Great Western, who reported on efforts to improve services since a similar event in January.

Mike Carroll, the firm's Thames Valley route director, said that although the Cotswold Line was still the least punctual FGW service, the number of trains running on time was up from 61 per cent at the start of the year to 79 per cent last month.

He told the Oxford Mail: "We're encouraged that we have improved and met commitments we made in January, but are acutely aware that there's still a long way to go.

"We have got momentum now and we will keep that momentum going."

He was joined by FGW's top executive, chief operating officer Andrew Haines, who said: "We will deliver on our part of the bargain.

"We are targeting the things that matter to our customers."