Network Rail announced on Monday that it was reviewing the case for five new lines, including one along the Chiltern Railways route from London Marylebone to Birmingham.

Passenger numbers have risen by 40 per cent over the past decade and the company predicts that by 2025 many lines will be full up.

The new lines along the country’s busiest routes would be capable of carrying high-speed trains at speeds of up to 186mph.

But Warwick Society member John Holland believes any new tracks should be built away from residential areas.

Mr Holland, a former Warwick district councillor, fears that if existing routes are widened they would bring noise and disruption to homes near the lines. He believes fast trains should be diverted onto a new route alongside the M40 around Leamington and Warwick.

He said: “Having fast trains coming through Warwick and Leamington would be a concern as the line is very close to people’s houses. If we can move the non-stop trains out of towns it will mean more stopping trains that will be a benefit to tourism and business.”

But Network Rail spokesman Rachel Blackman said it was too early to speculate on where new lines might be built. She stressed the company was still looking for a firm to carry out the review, which will also look at the Midlands, east and west coast and Great Western main line.

She added: “No plans for any work are being discussed. At this stage there certainly aren’t plans to put pieces of track in particular places.”