Councillors take first step on path towards tunnels
SHETLAND councillors have approved a “direction of travel” towards tunnels to Yell and Unst – and potentially to Whalsay and Bressay in the longer term – at a milestone meeting earlier today (Tuesday).
The next step will be the creation of a 30-year implementation “route map” which is expected to come to councillors on 23 September. This would then lead to full business cases being created for individual projects.
Chair of Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) environment and transport committee Moraig Lyall said tunnels could be transformative for the isles and offer a “better, brighter future”.
Tunnels to Yell, Unst, Whalsay and Bressay have been given an estimated total price tag of nearly £1.5 billion, with possible options for funding coming in the form of capital grants, borrowing and private finance.
Following a significant study, elected members were tasked today with deciding what options to pursue for future transport connectivity for Yell, Unst, Whalsay, Bressay, Fetlar, Skerries, Papa Stour and Foula.
They followed recommendations for tunnels to Yell and Unst to be taken forward to the next stage of the process.
For Whalsay and Bressay, the recommendation is for continued investment in their ferry services with a “longer term commitment to a fixed link”.
There is a recommendation for a dedicated ferry for Fetlar operating over an extended day, and although a tunnel is proposed between Yell and Unst, investment in the Bluemull Sound ferry service will be required in the immediate term.
‘Do something’ options for the ferry services to Papa Stour and Skerries are recommended, with business as usual proposed for Foula.
The report to councillors reiterated that as external funding would be required, any preferred option is provisional and subject to availability of funding.
“As a result, the preferred fixed link options in particular are best understood as identifying the long-term direction of travel for each route, rather than immediate delivery commitments,” it added.
It comes against a backdrop of ageing ferries, with Stephen Canning from consultants Stantec saying that seven of the SIC’s vessels are aged over 30 – a point where ferries in Scotland tend to be replaced.
Andy Sloan from tunnel experts COWI, who has been involved in the study, reiterated his view that subsea fixed links in Shetland are doable from a technical point of view – with the key constraint being funding.
More to follow…
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