Also in the news / District heating shutdown, Viking car park construction and more …
DISTRICT heating customers are being given advance warning of a planned overnight shutdown of the Lerwick network, provisionally scheduled for the last week of August.
Shetland Heat Energy and Power (SHEAP) said this was necessary to carry out essential maintenance in their main plant room, work that could only be done safely if the entire network was stopped.
The work is expected to take place between 8pm and 6am the following morning, with no heating or hot water available during this time.
SHEAP added that it would be in direct contact with care homes, the Gilbert Bain Hospital and other large users.
Anyone who considers themselves a vulnerable customer, or has concerns about how this may affect them or someone they know, should contact the SHEAP office on 01595 745151.
A MILESTONE event will celebrate the first anniversary of the Improving the Cancer Journey service this month.
The service – delivered by NHS Shetland in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support – supports adults affected by cancer, including patients, families, friends and carers, by offering one-to-one support and access to services in Shetland and beyond.
The service has received 34 referrals in its first year, and NHS Shetland said it continues to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
To mark the first anniversary, a special community event will be held in Islesburgh’s room 10 on Tuesday (29 July) between 11am and 3pm – with everyone invited.
Improving the Cancer Journey service lead Karen Hannay said it had been an “encouraging first year”, and they were proud of the difference the service had made.
SSE RENEWABLES has confirmed that work has begun on a public car park south of Voe where a Viking wind farm construction compound was located.
The project, which was given planning permission by councillors after an objection from the Delting community council, aims to give people better access to the wind farm’s network of tracks.
The company, however, could not give any fresh update on when the tracks will officially be open to the public.
A spokesperson referred to an update given in April which said restrictions on public access should be lifted once final construction activities have taken place.
SAXAVORD Spaceport held a full-scale emergency exercise on Saturday to test and refine its launch site safety procedures.
More than 50 people took part in the exercise, including members of the coastguard, fire and rescue and ambulance services.
Chief operating officer Debbie Strang said the team had been running through potential emergency scenarios at the launch site, with fire chief Matt Mason taking the lead.
POLICE Scotland has warned sexual predators to “get help or get caught” ahead of new online safety protections for children.
The warning comes after Police Scotland’s Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation unit revealed that from April 2024 to July 2025 it had carried out 863 investigations, resulting in 604 arrests, with steps taken to protect 815 children.
New laws come into force from Friday aimed at keeping children safe online, meaning tech companies must take proactive steps to protect children from illegal content and activity.
Ahead of the laws coming in to force, the service is re-launching its Get Help or Get Caught online child sexual abuse prevention campaign.
Detective superintendent Nicola McGovern said: “Online child sexual abuse and exploitation through technology is an increasing problem in Scotland and officers from our National Child Abuse Investigation Unit work tirelessly to prevent children becoming victims and we will use all means at our disposal to search for and identify offenders.”
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