Shetland tunnels connecting to four islands could ‘transform' life – but locals are ‘frustrated' by controversial plans
ROAD DRAMA Shetland tunnels connecting to four islands could 'transform' life – but locals are 'frustrated' by controversial plans
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SHETLAND Islands Council is said to be pushing ahead with plans to build inter-island tunnels.
The underwater network will connect the four outlying isles in the Scottish archipelago.
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Tunnels in Shetland to connect the four islands could 'transform' lives
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However critics have taken a swipe at council bosses and highlighted that the nearby Faroe Islands has had a similar system in place for years.
The 18 islands - under Denmark's sovereignty - are connected by 23 tunnels, including four that run beneath the sea.
The multi-million pound project could "transform" the life of locals but some residents have raised concerns.
Anne Anderson of salmon producer Scottish Sea Farms branded the absence of tunnels as "frustrating".
Tunnel builder Andy Sloan added: "Without doubt, Shetland can copy what has been achieved in [the Faroe Islands]."
Elsewhere, bold new plans to tunnel beneath a major UK city for a massive underground train and tram network have been officially unveiled.
The dramatic move aims to transform how people travel in and out of the busy urban centre and tackle future congestion.
The ambitious project, based in Manchester and led by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, would see trains and trams running below ground for the first time in the city's history, aiming to ease congestion and support future economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of Greater Manchester's new 10-year strategy, Mr Burnham said early design work would begin immediately, with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) tasked with drawing up initial concepts.
The network is expected to start with a new underground station at Manchester Piccadilly and could eventually stretch east-west and north-south across the region.
Mr Burnham said: 'We are going underground.
"We are building the Bee Network on the surface.
"But if we achieve our economic ambitions, we'll struggle to cope with just that.
"I'm going to ask TfGM to explore underground service options."
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