Transport / Councillors press for Cullivoe road upgrade to happen as soon as possible
COUNCILLORS on the development committee made it clear this morning (Wednesday) that they want to see a new Cullivoe road prioritised.
An update was given on Monday that work could get underway on site in spring next year.
But with the state of the road, which provides access to the Cullivoe pier and marina, affecting development elsewhere in the area councillors called for work on speeding up the process.
North Isles councillor Robert Thomson questioned if conditions halting development in the area due to the poor condition of the road could be eased.
He said it extended to new houses not being able to be built, which then affects the local school roll given that new families cannot move in.
Shetland Central’s Davie Sandison said he felt “really strongly” that efforts should be made to make the project a high priority and overcome any time obstacles.
He said spring next year was a “long way away”.
“Surely as a council we should be directing our senior team to make every effort to overcome anything to do with resourcing within the council that might be delaying aspects of the project,” Sandison said.
Lerwick South member Cecil Smith said Cullivoe was a “thriving” community that is being hampered by the road.
Council leader Emma Macdonald said if members think the Cullivoe road is the most important priority for the SIC – “then we need to make that clear”.
She said there needs to be a wider council conversation about priority projects.
“It does come down to choices,” Macdonald said. But she agreed that the road should “absolutely be our priority”.
Infrastructure director John Smith told councillors that the spring 2024 hope was one year ahead of previous estimates.
Among the work still to be done before work can get underway on site includes completing an environmental impact assessment and a planning submission.
The project was previously estimated to cost £5 million.
But Smith highlighted that the project was technically unfunded at the moment.
The director also said there was no doubt the project was a priority for the SIC.
Members of the development committee recently visited Cullivoe – as well as the SaxaVord spaceport site in Unst.
Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask said the “away day” gave a chance for members to experience the situation first hand.
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