Network Rail has submitted a bid to the Department for Transport to get funding to speed up the route by six to eight minutes.

Keith Lumley, a spokesman for Network Rail, confirmed this week it had submitted the bid as part of its Strategic Business Plan for the period 2009-2014.

It is expecting a decision from the DfT in the summer but Mr Lumley was unable to confirm how much the work at Harborough would cost.

He was also unable to say how much time exactly would be saved by straightening the bend on Harborough's line.

Mr Lumley did say, however, that improvements works to straighten the track could be completed 'in a weekend' and that disruption to services would be minimal.

Dr Kevin Feltham, a member of the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Rail Action Committee (Lanrac), said: "The frequency of train services is at capacity, so the only way to take the increased number of commuter passengers is to make the trains longer. Some of the stations along the route through our area were planned in the Victorian era and have short platforms which are not always straight."

Steve Jones, joint-chairman of the Harborough Rail Users group, said: "I am optimistic about this as higher speeds should mean increased business and an improved service all round. For Harborough, I would hope that the whole programme of improvements to the line would mean increased capacity, which would help safeguard or even improve our present frequency of trains."

Debbie Mather, PR manager for East Midlands Trains, the franchise which took over at Harborough Station in November 2007, said: "East Midlands Trains is fully in support of line speed improvements, reducing journey times to and from London."