Hope is for work on Cullivoe road project to get underway in spring next year

THERE is still “quite a bit of work to do yet” on the process for a new road in Cullivoe – but the hope is for staff to be on site in the spring of next year.

Members of Shetland Islands Council’s environment and transport committee were given an update on the project on Monday.

Roads manager Neil Hutcheson said formal offers have been made to landowners to get things ready for construction.

Next steps include the completion of an environmental impact assessment and also the submission for planning consent.

North Isles member Robert Thomson said from what he had heard not all landowners had received an offer – but Hutcheson said he was not aware of this being the case.

A report to councillors suggested a “due date” for the Yell project’s completion was the end of March 2026.

Committee chair Moraig Lyall highlighted the “absolute necessity” for the project to keep moving forward.

The project to construct a new road into Cullivoe was given a £5 million price tag when it was approved in 2021.

The upgrade of the single-track B9082 was made a priority road project in 2019 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.