AN URGENT inquiry has been called for into the state of rail lines between Swindon and London.

South West MP David Drew demanded the probe amid concerns about the quality of track.

In an official parliamentary move, he asked the secretary of state for transport to oversee an investigation. He requested the Department of Transport put pressure on Network Rail which runs the national track to check the line between Swindon and Paddington.

Mr Drew, the Labour MP for Stroud, said that he feared something was wrong with the route.

He said: "I travel on the line regularly from my constituency and it seems incredibly rough and noisy.

"There is a noticeable change when the train has gone past Swindon and it seems to me something could be wrong with the track.

"I'm not suggesting the route is unsafe, it just seems to me to be very poor quality.

"It gets so bumpy that commuting becomes uncomfortable and it is impossible to get on with work on the train.

"I think it's something we should get to the bottom of."

Transport minister Tony McNulty ruled out a new probe and said the track was already being examined.

He said: "Network Rail advises me it is already undertaking a comprehensive prog- ramme to manage and monitor the track quality in this area, and at the same time is investing to upgrade the track."

He said Network Rail was working closely with the Health and Safety Executive and had put in place a beefed-up inspection system on the affected area.

The minister said switches and crossings likely causes of bumps were getting extra attention from heavy maintenance crews.

A Network Rail spokeswoman admitted the track was not up to standard.

But she said that it was not dangerous and work had started on an upgrade programme along the whole Great Western line.