Major update on plans for TUNNEL between Scottish islands revealed
A report also called for more to be done to enhance ferry services
LINKING UP Major update on plans for TUNNEL between Scottish islands revealed
COUNCIL leaders have issued a major update on plans for tunnels being constructed between Scottish islands.
The tunnels would permanently link four of the furthest away islands, meaning locals and tourists wouldn't need to rely on ferries.
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The tunnels would run underground and link four of the Shetland islands
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This includes Bressay, Unst, Whalsay and Yell
Credit: Getty
They would be constructed underground and would connect four of the Shetland Isles.
These include the islands of Bressay, Unst, Whalsay and Yell, which sit around 105 miles off the northeast of the mainland in he heart of the North Sea.
According to The Herald, a study is now being prepared for officials to consider and will outline the plans in detail.
A new strategy report is also set to make the case for increased investment in different travel facilities between the islands.
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This will include the harbours and ferries as well as the proposed plans for the underground tunnels.
Shetland Islands Council met this week to discuss a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) report and agreed to approve it.
Tunnelling in Shetland is, ultimately, about future-proofing our island population
Councillor Emma Macdonald
They also agreed to fund a study that would further examine the capabilities of the fixed links, both commercially and financially.
This is expected to help councillors consider the future steps that may be required to help the plans move forward.
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The report also called for more to be done to enhance ferry services for Fetlar, Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries.
Councillors have said that this is a "significant" step forward and said the tunnels would be a way to 'future-proof' their communities that are suffering from dwindling population.
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Council Leader, Councillor Emma Macdonald, told The Herald: 'Tunnelling in Shetland is, ultimately, about future-proofing our island population.
'Transport connectivity is central to creating sustainable islands which provide good homes and good jobs for our people, and which can reverse decades of depopulation.
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'The experience of our neighbours in the Faroe Islands is clear - tunnelling from mainland Shetland to our outer islands could increase their population, lower their average age, and increase their economic prospects.'
Tunnels have the potential to be transformative for Shetland's economy and our communities... I am glad that progress is being made
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael
She added: 'It's also critical that we continue to invest in a resilient and reliable ferry service to support all our islands.
'The council has today approved this latest recommendation, and as a result, this represents a significant step towards the construction of tunnels between our islands.'
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael also said that the tunnels could transform Shetland's economy and said "now is the time to deliver".
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He continued: 'We have seen a few false dawns on tunnels for Shetland – now is the time to deliver on their promise.
"I am glad that the Council is putting investment into this project to move it to the next stage.
'The Stantec report made it clear that the choice is between either investing further in the ferry service or in fixed links.
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"That means that tunnels can no longer be dismissed as the 'high cost' option relative to ferries, which is good news as we go into the next stage of development.
'Tunnels have the potential to be transformative for Shetland's economy and our communities.
"It has been a long road just to reach this point and there is still a long way to go but I am glad that progress is being made.
"I look forward to working with the Council and indeed with the UK and Scottish governments to keep up the momentum.'
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