Scottish secretary has ‘real interest’ in outcome of Westminster committee’s fixed links inquiry
THE TOPIC of fixed links in Shetland has been heard again at Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee – this time in front of secretary of state for Scotland Douglas Alexander.
The Labour MP did not provide any commitment on the issue but said he had a “real interest” in the committee’s investigation into fixed links and said he approaches this with an “open mind”.
It comes after Shetland councillors recently backed a “direction of travel” towards tunnels to Yell and Unst, with a long-term commitment towards fixed links for Whalsay and Bressay.
With these four tunnels given a total estimated price tag of around £1.5bn, how they could be financed remains an unanswered question.
A 30-year implementation route map is set to be drawn up in the coming months, which will then lead to business cases being produced.
The Scottish Affairs Committee has an ongoing inquiry into fixed links in Scotland, with representatives of Shetland Islands Council previously speaking in Westminster under questioning from MPs.
This inquiry will examine the strategic case for permanent transport links, such as tunnels and bridges, between Scotland’s islands and assess whether there is a role for the UK Government in supporting such projects.
The matter of Shetland tunnels was raised again in front of the committee during an appearance from the secretary of state for Scotland on Tuesday, although this was focused on scrutinising the work of the UK Government’s Scotland Office rather than on fixed links.
But one MP asked Alexander if Westminster could play a role in Shetland’s proposal for subsea tunnels.
Alexander noted media coverage of the recent SIC inter-island connectivity report, as well as the committee’s visit to Faroe.
He also highlighted the potential benefits to SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, which is supportive of tunnels to the North Isles.
The secretary of state for Scotland then referenced three possible funding options for tunnels included in the recent SIC report – capital grant funding, such as from governments, borrowing and private finance.
“I hope even just the illustration of those different routes suggests that […] there is potential engagement by the UK Government, in relation to the national wealth fund, in relation to the operation of public works loan board or others, and in that sense, I wait with real interest the work of this committee,” he said.
There is, however, a change of prime minister in the offing as Andy Burnham looks set to replace the outgoing Sir Keir Starmer next week.
At a committee hearing in May, SIC depute leader Gary Robinson said the UK Government providing nearly £27 million for a new Fair Isle ferry, which is currently being built, had set a “precedent” of Westminster being able to support Scottish transport, which is a devolved matter.
The UK Government’s Department for Transport (DfT) earlier responded to the committee’s inquiry in writing by saying that the Scottish Government is “responsible for assessing the viability and potential return on investment for fixed-link infrastructure projects in Scotland’s island communities”.
“The UK Government’s role in such projects is limited, but we work closely with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to ensure that reserved policy areas and wider UK objectives are aligned,” it added.
“Any involvement from DfT therefore tends to focus on collaboration, capacity building and the sharing of best practice, where appropriate.
“Historically, any UK Government financial contributions have generally been made through UK-wide programmes – such as the Levelling Up Fund or the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – rather than direct funding for individual schemes.
“Where relevant, future support would follow similar principles, respecting devolved responsibilities while promoting connectivity and economic growth across the UK.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said after the SIC’s recent inter-island connectivity decision that “through our new National Islands Plan, we have committed to working with local authorities to explore financing models and promote investment opportunities in fixed links projects within their areas”.
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