Pipe bill for new bridge

AN UNDERGROUND pipeline belonging to BP could end up costing the third Forth crossing project an extra £100 million.

Taxpayers will have to pay the oil giant compensation if the work on the 2 billion bridge effects the facility which runs from Dalmeny down the firth to the Grangemouth refinery.

It is a risk the Scottish Government will have to take, finance secretary John Swinney will tell MSPs this week, because the alternative is to re-route the crossing or the pipe, which would cost far more.

Holyrood will have to set aside the cash in case anything happens to the line, though it is understood the figure is capped at 100 million.