Cullivoe road project takes step forward

PLANS to upgrade a road which provides access the Cullivoe Pier in Yell have taken a step forward after councillors agreed to move the project to a full business case.

A proposal for a new two-lane road between Gutcher and Cullivoe is the council’s preferred option.

It would cost roughly £5 million and it could take around six years to create. It would also “future proof” a possible fixed link connection to Unst.

The upgrade of the B9082 from Gutcher to Cullivoe was made a priority road project late last year as it is no longer considered fit for purpose due to the number of HGV vehicles using the road.

It is a vital link road for the fishing and aquaculture industries which use the Cullivoe pier.

Members of the full council agreed at a meeting on Wednesday to progress the project to the next stage.

A full business case will confirm the proposed option and develop financial and management cases.

North Isles councillor Alec Priest, who is from Yell, said he was pleased to see the project progress.

He highlighted that the condition of the road has caused problems with planning applications – with proposals for a new marina and expanded business estate in the area particularly impacted.

Priest also said that as the current road is single track, haulage companies transporting fish from the pier are having to time their journeys as two lorries cannot pass each other.