Transport / Yell Sound picked for tunnel modelling as project reaches ‘key phase’
THE YELL Sound ferry route is set to be used as a “test case” for fixed links modelling.
The model will explore how a tunnel could be built to Yell, and how much financial support the project may need.
Shetland Islands Council’s inter-island connectivity programme, exploring whether fixed links can be delivered in the isles, has reached a “key phase” the council has said.
Consultants Stantec and COWI are set to develop a fixed link model, which will look at whether a tunnel can be delivered and how.
The council said that while tunnels “can be built in Shetland”, they needed to see whether there was appetite from major contractors to take on the work.
It added they also needed to find out “what financial support could be available”.
“The council must also understand the range of resources it needs to put in place for any future fixed link projects,” it said.
“The work will also include a more detailed socio-economic review to map out the potential impact a tunnel could have on local residents, businesses and industries.”
Yell Sound will be used to test the fixed links model because it has “the widest variety of features and issues to help inform the process”, the council said.
Environment and transport committee chairwoman Moraig Lyall stressed that just because Yell was selected for the model, that did not mean it was “first on the list” for possible construction.
“Yell Sound simply offers up the widest range of variables which can be tested and modelled,” she said.
The councillor added it was key for the fixed links project that they were able to “test as many elements as we can ahead of time”.
“That covers everything from assessing whether there are contractors out there willing to take on such projects, to where and how funding can be secured.
“I very much look forward to the results of this work, which will feed into the overall outline business case.
“Councillors will consider that next year, at which point we will decide on the preferred option for each of the eight island routes within the programme.”
COWI project lead Szymon Kowalczuk called this a “great opportunity” to “test what is possible”.
“The viability study is about building the evidence base and a greater understanding of how a network of tunnels could reshape connectivity in Shetland,” he said.
“By engaging the supply chain at an early stage, we test assumptions and make sure that the report findings are robust.”
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