Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions his Department had with (a) Network Rail and (b) the Department for Transport on the costs to electricity network operators of rail electrification and their effect on consumer energy bills.

Since the 1960s, it has been routine for the electricity network operators to re-site or remove electricity network assets as a result of railway works, under the terms of a Master Wayleave agreement.

The current programme of rail electrification may result in the need for extensive works on the electricity network infrastructure.

The Department is in discussion with the industry, the Department for Transport and Cabinet Office about appropriate funding arrangements.