Earlier this year Shetland Islands Council agreed funding to develop a Fixed Link Model (FLM), using the Yell Sound crossing as a test case and consultants COWI and Stantec undertook industry engagement. Now LNS, BeMo Tunnelling and Strabag have been appointed and the following companies have now been appointed for the next phase.
As part of the work, each contractor will make site visits and begin the work to review and evaluate the reference design. The council wants to understand contractors’ appetite to engage in any possible future fixed link tunnel projects, as well as what external financial support.
Their conclusions will help inform the next stage of the wider Inter-island Transport Connectivity Outline Business Case, which will be considered by councillors next summer. At that point, preferred options will be chosen for each of the eight island routes within the programme.
Chair of the council’s environment and transport committee Moraig Lyall: “We’re very pleased that COWI’s engagement with the industry has attracted these companies, each of which has a proven track record both within the UK and across the world. Their work will provide the key information we, as elected members, require to make decisions on the next steps for what could be the most significant project the council has undertaken in its 50-year history.”
She added that although the Yell Sound crossing had been chosen for the modelling work, it did not mean it would be first in line for construction. “It does, however, give us the widest range of variables which can be tested and modelled,” Lyall said.
COWI executive vice-president Andy Sloan said it was known tunnels were feasible from an engineering perspective and the contractors’ involvement would provide more information.
“Their involvement will provide additional information on cost, programme and construction issues in Shetland for a single tunnel that has been developed to scheme design. This will provide information in support of the study that seeks to define the overall deliverability of these tunnels, from procurement and engineering through to funding,” he said.
“We are grateful to each of the companies for their commitment to supporting this important phase of work. Their involvement marks a major step forward of a potentially game-changing infrastructure project in the UK. We look forward to working with them and to the valuable evidence and analysis their assessments will bring.”
