SHETLAND councillors have agreed to take forward proposals for the construction of tunnels between islands, describing the move as “a significant step".
A report on Shetland’s future inter-island transport, presented to councillors first time on Wednesday, recommended enhanced ferry services for Fetlar, Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries, together with the case for tunnels to Bressay, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.
Any possibility of a Fetlar tunnel has been discounted for now due to concerns over affordability and value for money.
The options presented in the report do not come with any cost estimates, with the council stressing that funding is uncertain. Private finance is understood to be considered a possible avenue.
A team of consultants appointed by Shetland Islands Council, which has been exploring how transport links between the islands could be improved over the next 30 years, published the report.
Engineering consultancies COWI, Stantec and Mott MacDonald have been collaborating on the study weighing up the merits of improved ferry links and fixed link options such as bridges or subsea tunnels.
Councillors have now agreed to fund a study to establish the commercial and financial viability of tunnels and the future steps required to move the project forward.
Council leader Emma Macdonald said: “Tunnelling in Shetland is, 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.
“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.
“The council has today approved this latest recommendation, and as a result this represents a significant step towards the construction of tunnels between our islands.”
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael: “We have seen 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.
“The Stantec report made it clear that the choice is between either investing further in the ferry service or in fixed links. That means that 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.”
