UK bill-payers 'may fund rail electrification by back door He said the networks were "working with Network Rail to resolve this issue and protect electricity customers from potentially hundreds of millions of pounds of extra cost." Under so-called 'master wayleave agreements', in existence since the 1960s, power distribution network operators are currently liable to pay to remove or relocate their infrastructure at Network Rail's request. They recoup these costs, along with their other expenditure, from energy bill-payers through charges set by regulator Ofgem. The power networks say the agreements have historically covered small, regional projects running to tens of thousands of pounds, which count as part of normal business. By contrast the work to cables needed for the electrification of the Great Western Main Line alone could cost £60m, with costs for other train lines around the country likely to run to hundreds of millions. Power distribution network operators are preparing to submit business plans for spending the next eight years to Ofgem in coming weeks and are likely to ask the regulator to ensure the possible costs would be recouped from consumers. National Grid, which operates the higher-voltage electricity transmission networks, has already had its business plans agreed by Ofgem and could have to ask the regulator for additional funding if its networks are affected. Transport minister Simon Burns said this week that the role of energy networks in rail electrification was an issue for Network Rail "in the first instance." He added: "Network Rail advises that the role of the energy network operators is to provide secure, economic and reliable power supplies to meet the company's power upgrade programme." A Network Rail spokesman said: "Electrification will be of significant benefit to the country, providing a cheaper, greener, more reliable railway and helping drive and support economic growth across Britain. We are in talks with the companies involved and are confident that any funding issues can be resolved between us. Projects worth nearly £40m to improve the West Coast main line between London and Scotland have been announced by Network Rail. The schemes include overhead line improvements as well as new fencing to stop trespassers.