Groups calling for tunnels to connect islands in the Shetlands have launched a new campaign.
The Unst and Yell Tunnel Action Groups’ Time to Tunnel campaign, launched on August 30, aims to increase public awareness and support for fixed links to the islands of Yell and Unst, and raise funds for the technical studies required to move the project forward.
Pre-seismic studies have been completed and the groups are preparing to procure the full seismic work that will underpin the technical and financial case for tunnel development. The pre-seismic work was undertaken by Norconsult – the company responsible for the engineering design of all subsea tunnels in the Faroe Islands – in conjunction with Geophysix.
Unst Tunnel Action Group joint chair Alec Priest said the completion of the pre-seismic studies was significant.
“It demonstrates our communities’ determination to make tunnels a reality and highlights the power of working together to achieve real progress. With the launch of Time to Tunnel, we want to maintain momentum, raise awareness more widely, and build the resources needed for the seismic studies,” he said.
Yell Tunnel Action Group joint chair Steven Henderson said fixed links were not just about transport – they were about the long-term sustainability of the islands’ communities.
“They will secure jobs, improve healthcare access, reduce costs for businesses, and create opportunities for future generations. Time to Tunnel is about making that vision a reality,” he said
Last year Shetland Islands Council commissioned a transport feasibility study for the area, including the possibility of tunnels between islands.
