Shetland Islands Council this week agreed to commission a study described by its leader as “a significant step towards the construction of tunnels between our islands”.
The decision was made at a meeting to approve the Network Strategy – Strategic Outline Case (SOC) report, presented by Stantec in partnership with COWI, Mott Macdonald and ProVersa. The SOC is designed to establish the case for investment in ferries and harbours and, in some cases, fixed links, including tunnels.
Councillors also agreed to fund a study to establish the commercial and financial viability of fixed links and the future steps required to move the project forward.
The SOC has established the case for enhanced ferry services for Fetlar, Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries, together with the case for tunnels to Bressay, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.
Council leader Emma Macdonald said tunnelling in Shetland was, ultimately, about future-proofing our island population.
“Transport connectivity is central to creating sustainable islands which provide good homes and good jobs for our people, and which can reverse decades of depopulation,” she said.
“The experience of our neighbours in the Faroe Islands is clear – tunnelling from mainland Shetland to our outer islands could increase their population, lower their average age, and increase their economic prospects. It’s also critical that we continue to invest in a resilient and reliable ferry service to support all our islands.”
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said there had been “a few false dawns on tunnels for Shetland – now is the time to deliver on their promise”.
“I am glad that the Council is putting investment into this project to move it to the next stage,” he said.
“The Stantec report made it clear that the choice is between either investing further in the ferry service or in fixed links. That means tunnels can no longer be dismissed as the ‘high cost’ option relative to ferries, which is good news as we go into the next stage of development.
“Tunnels have the potential to be transformative for Shetland’s economy and our communities. It has been a long road just to reach this point and there is still a long way to go but I am glad that progress is being made. I look forward to working with the Council and indeed with the UK and Scottish governments to keep up the momentum.”
Local action groups have been campaigning for tunnels between the Shetland mainland and Yell, and Yell and Unst.
