Community council welcome for tunnel progress
A DECISION from elected members that a first Shetland tunnel should go to Yell has been welcomed by the chair of the island’s community council.
Annette Jamieson said a fixed link to the island would not just benefit Yell, but Unst and Fetlar too.
The hope is that a tunnel to Unst would then follow – with Caroline Hunter, the island’s community council chair, also welcoming progress on the plans.
Councillors met on Wednesday to approve an inter-island connectivity implementation route map, which effectively sets out how proposed transport projects should be sequenced.
Yell Sound was picked as the priority fixed link because it is said it would benefit the largest number of people and would be easier to deliver in practical terms.
The Scottish Government has committed £23 million over the next few years for pre-construction work on the first tunnel project.
However no capital funding has been committed for any projects, be it tunnels or ferry replacements.
Yell Community Council chair Jamieson said the decision made by the SIC to progress the inter-island connectivity programme with a fixed link for Yell Sound “as the first piece in the jigsaw, is very welcome”.
“A fixed link between Yell and the mainland will support the communities of Yell, Unst and Fetlar and, of the course the mainland of Shetland, and will provide greater connectivity for businesses, people and services,” she added.
“Funding of course still needs to be secured but this first step is a significant move in ensuring robust connections for island communities.”
She also welcomed the inclusion of ferry replacement programmes as well as fixed links.
For Unst, there is a hope among some councillors that the UK Government may look to stump up funding for pre-construction work given the national importance of the SaxaVord Spaceport.
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There is also a recommendation for replacement ferries in the meantime on the Bluemull Sound route, which links Unst, Fetlar and Yell.
A report from consultants Stantec said there is “declining service reliability, crewing challenges and sustainedly high vehicle deck utilisation” on Bluemull Sound.
The question remains over the scale of investment on the Bluemull Sound ferry service, given there is a planning assumption that a tunnel to Yell could be completed by 2034 and then another to Unst by 2036.
Hunter said the decision made yesterday was “exciting” and one that “makes sense, as there will be a benefit to Yell, Fetlar and Unst from this one tunnel”.
“The proposed investment in the current ferry service is crucial alongside the plans for tunnels,” she added.
“Reliable, resilient and fit for purpose ferry provision is essential while any future fixed link proposals are developed.”
While there was positive news on funding for pre-construction work, at least for a tunnel to Yell, there are still question marks over how fixed links would be funded.
The report to councillors said tunnels to Yell and Unst could cost more than £1 billion combined.
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