Transport secretary claims tunnel funding situation could benefit from Scottish independence
SUBSEA tunnels in Shetland could be financed more easily in an independent Scotland, it has been claimed.
Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop also said large infrastructure spend on projects like tunnels would require “innovation”.
She was speaking in the Scottish Parliament after Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart brought up the issue of tunnels recently.
The Lib Dem noted how Shetland’s ageing ferry fleet is a high carbon emitter and asked for the Scottish Government’s position on short subsea tunnels.
She said fixed links like tunnels could help towards the government’s goal of decarbonising transport.
In response, Hyslop said she was “open” to work on ferries and tunnels.
“I think in terms of that big infrastructure spend that would be required, it needs innovation,” she added.
Hyslop also said “I think it needs independence” – to which there were some groans in the chamber.
“If we’re going to do big infrastructure projects like subsea tunnels, having the capability as a state – as Faroe relies on the Danish state to underwrite their tunnels…that actually is a positive argument for changing how we can fund our public services,” she added.
The prospect of tunnels as long-term replacements to some of Shetland Islands Council’s ferries on routes to islands like Yell, Unst and Whalsay has gained momentum in recent years.
Consultants are currently working on a new inter-island transport programme which will consider tunnels as well as ferry replacements.
Meanwhile the Yell and Unst tunnel action groups, formed by the islands’ communities, have been fundraising themselves to undertaken initial surveys for potential tunnels to the North Isles.
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