Three companies appointed to explore fixed links to isles
All three will make site visits soon, with Yell Sound the ‘test case’
THREE INTERNATIONAL companies have been appointed to evaluate the potential for fixed links in the isles.
LNS from Norway, BEMO Tunnelling and STRABAG will join Shetland Islands Council’s fixed links project and will undertake the next phase of work.
With Yell Sound as the ‘test case’, the three companies will soon make site visits and begin work to review and evaluate the design of tunnels.
Shetland Islands Council said it would engage with contractors about their appetite to take on any future fixed links projects, and to find out what external funding may be available.
LNS has delivered major infrastructure and tunnelling projects in the likes of Norway, Greenland and Faroe, while BEMO Tunnelling was described by the SIC as “one of Europe’s leading tunnelling and civil engineering contractors”.
STRABAG is active in more than 50 countries, the council added, and has delivered tunnelling projects across the UK.
Their conclusions will help inform the next stage of the wider inter-island transport connectivity outline business case.
That is set to be presented to councillors in summer 2026, with preferred options presented for each island route.
At this stage tunnels are being considered for Yell, Unst, Whalsay and Bressay.
Environment and transport committee chairwoman Moraig Lyall said the SIC was pleased to have attracted the three companies, all of which “has a proven track record both within the UK and across the world.”
“Their work will provide the key information we, as elected members, require to make decisions on the next steps for what could be the most significant project the council has undertaken in its 50 year history,” she said.
“I must emphasise that, though the Yell Sound crossing has been chosen for this modelling work, it does not mean it would be ‘first on the list’ for construction.
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“It does, however, give us the widest range of variables which can be tested and modelled.”
Unst Tunnel Action group joint chair Alice Mathewson welcomed the news.
“The timing could not be better, as we launch our online auction to support essential seismic surveys of both Yell Sound and Bluemull Sound,” she said.
“These studies will provide critical information for construction companies to consider next steps.”
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