Tunnel vision events to reflect new party-political realities
NORTHERN ISLES MP Alistair Carmichael and newly elected Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad are to join forces for the first cross-party version of ‘tunnel vision’ community events.
Created by Shetland’s two Lib Dem parliamentary representatives a few years ago, the campaign has added momentum to community demands for tunnels to replace an increasingly fragile inter-island ferry service.
Since the retirement of MSP Beatrice Wishart and the Lib Dems losing the Shetland seat to the SNP, next week’s tunnel vision events will have an extra dimension in that a government minister will be participating in her role as the isles’ new MSP.
And, also for the first time, one of the tunnel vision meetings will be held on the Shetland mainland.
Carmichael said the meetings scheduled for Monday to Thursday will be an opportunity to discuss recent progress, how this can be developed further and to liaise with local tunnel action groups on their work.
“With each round of events islanders have built momentum and consensus around the campaign for tunnels in Shetland. This month’s events will be a chance to take that momentum and push the campaign on further,” he said.
“While there is still a long way to go, the developments in the council’s own plans on tunnels are a testament to the determination of the tunnel action croups to keep this on the political agenda.
“We need to be speaking with one voice to keep up the momentum, build the best possible plan to take tunnels forward, and secure the national support that we need.
“What is absolutely essential is that this remains a campaign by and for islanders – led by local people who have a stake in making this a success.”
It comes after Shetland councillors agreed a “direction of travel” towards tunnels for Yell and Unst, and Whalsay and Bressay in the longer term.
Following the decision at the end of June, Shetland Islands council officers will prepare a 30-year implementation plan which will then result in individual business cases.
The key question remains how tunnels will be financed, with links to the four islands representing a total estimated cost of around £1.5bn.
Potential funding options could come in the form of capital grants, borrowing and private finance. Transport secretary Stephen Flynn was recently quoted by The National newspaper as saying that the Scottish Government would “see what’s possible” regarding the aspiration for tunnels in Shetland.
Regarding Faroe, which is often cited as tunnel inspiration for Shetland, he told the newspaper: “I’m really interested in the funding model that they use and I need to go and dig into that and explore that further.
“I will, because I want to understand how they deliver that in an affordable fashion and how such things can be replicated.”
The Tunnel Vision meetings will take place as follows:
- Monday 17 August, Unst, Baltasound Public Hall, 6pm
- Tuesday 18 August, Fetlar, Fetlar Community Hall, 2.30pm
- Monday 18 August: Yell, Burravoe Public Hall, 6.30pm
- Wednesday 19 August, Whalsay, Symbister Public Hall, 7pm
- Thursday 20 August, Bressay, Bressay Public Hall, 6pm
- Friday 21 August, Brae, Brae Public Hall, 6pm. Hannah Mary Goodlad will not be able to attend this meeting.
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