Councillors back plans for undersea tunnels connecting Shetland Islands

Plans for undersea tunnels connecting some of the Shetland Islands have moved a step closer after councillors approved a draft strategy.

The decision from Shetland Islands Council has led to hopes that cars could drive through the tunnels in eight years’ time.

A meeting of the full council decided in favour of a fixed link between mainland Shetland and Yell, as well as a fixed link between Yell and the northerly island of Unst.

The draft strategy is known as the inter-island transport connectivity programme.

Two more tunnels could potentially connect the islands of Whalsay and Bressay at a later stage, with the council saying there should be investment in the ferry links in the meantime.

The total cost for the four tunnels, which would replace inter-island ferries, has been estimated at around £1.5bn.

Shetland’s ferry service has been described as “the social and economic backbone” of the islands, with a fleet of 12 vessels sailing about 70,000 times a year to nine islands, carrying approximately 750,000 passengers.

However, there are fears about the age of the ferry fleet which links the islands.

Under an indicative timeline published by the council, the tunnels would open in 2034.

Speaking after the meeting, council leader Emma Macdonald said: “We have made our position clear today, and with the support of the Scottish and UK governments we could be driving through tunnels in Shetland in as little as eight years from now.

“Islands with fixed links repopulate, enjoy economic growth and experience a reduction in their average age.

“The most critical consideration now is to continue to look at potential external funding and our team will report back on that in September, alongside the draft implementation route map.”

The council also voted to invest in ferry services to other islands in Shetland.

Ms Macdonald continued: “We have no ‘do nothing’ options here.

“Ferries and tunnels are both needed to unlock the potential of Shetland, and both the Scottish and UK governments have a vested interest in helping that happen.”

Part of the rationale for the tunnels is to help connect SaxaVord Spaceport, which is on the northerly island of Unst.

It hopes to host the UK’s first satellite launch later this year.

A spokesman for SaxaVord Spaceport said: “This is a very welcome development, and as a strong supporter of fixed links we look forward to further progress being made.

“We know at first-hand how outdated the inter-island ferries that serve the outer isles of Shetland now are.

“They are at the limits of their capacity, which has a negative impact on businesses on the islands that require modern and reliable goods and infrastructure transportation.

“Fixed links are now a critical requirement for these islands as we and others strive to encourage the economic activity that will sustain the population for decades to come.”