Shetland Islands Council has enlisted Stantec for a pivotal consultation on inter-island tunnels aimed at enhancing connectivity. This initiative is a segment of a substantial £700,000 programme backing proposals for governmental funding.
- The plans underscore constructing tunnels from mainland Shetland to Yell, Unst, Whalsay, and Bressay, with potential ferry line upgrades.
- The Council is addressing the outdated nature and carbon contributions of its ferry fleet, emphasising tunnels as crucial for national strategic interests.
- Funding discussions span across the UK and Scottish governments, notably connecting with the SaxaVord Spaceport developments.
- An 18-month study by Stantec will explore business cases, with an emphasis on unbiased, community-influenced outcomes.
Shetland Islands Council has appointed the consultancy firm Stantec to carry out its own consultation concerning the construction of tunnels slated to link various islands to the Shetland mainland and to each other. This consultation forms a part of a significantly funded £700,000 programme. The primary goal is to substantiate a case for financial support from both the UK and Scottish governments. The planned infrastructure aims to improve connectivity within the region, distinguishing itself from several in-person consultation meetings, branded as ‘Tunnel Vision,’ led by Shetland’s Liberal Democrat MPs.
As per the council’s proposals, which received approval in March last year, approximately £500 million will be invested into the creation of these tunnels. The intended routes include links from the mainland to Yell, Yell to Unst, the mainland to Whalsay, and the mainland to Bressay. Additionally, these plans encapsulate targeted enhancements to key ferry lines. Presently, the Shetland inter-island ferries run around 70,000 trips annually to nine islands, serving approximately 750,000 passengers. However, these vessels are acknowledged to exceed their planned operational lifespan and contribute significantly to regional carbon emissions. The transition to a tunnel network, coupled with ferry upgrades, is being presented as a matter of “strategic national importance to the UK.”
Financial backing from the Scottish government has been broached for tunnels positioned on the eastern side of the islands. Meanwhile, negotiations with the UK government are concentrated on securing funds for the northern isles tunnels, particularly those connecting the mainland to the SaxaVord Spaceport. This spaceport, under development at Lamba Ness in Unst, targets the deployment of small rockets into low Earth orbit, bolstering Shetland’s role in aerospace advancements. Moreover, the council’s ‘Shetland Forward’ document highlights the spaceport as a decisive factor that warrants substantial UK Government interest in the Shetland Short Crossings Project. Neil Grant, director of development services for Shetland Islands Council, accentuated the necessity for a robust business case process. He stated, “It is essential that we follow the business case process, which will include community consultation events within that process, and that we can demonstrate the robustness of the Green Book business case process and that it has not been subject to political influences if we are to get any UK Government treasury support for the conclusions.”
Stantec’s primary role revolves around developing a network strategy for the islands of Shetland. This comprehensive study, expected to span 18 months, involves crafting outline business cases and drafting a potential roadmap for implementation. Notably, the consultation will incorporate community feedback, aiming to ensure that the outcomes reflect public interest and are free from political bias, as remarked by Neil Grant. The initiation of this strategic approach marks a significant move towards realising Shetland’s transport connectivity ambitions.
This consultation and planning effort signify Shetland Islands’ strategic move towards enhanced connectivity and sustainable regional development.
