SIC to produce fixed links priority list
Chloe Irvine
A priority list will be made to determine which isles should get tunnels first, the SIC’s fixed links project manager has confirmed.
Louise Shearer, the council’s inter-island transport connectivity project manager, told The Shetland Times that a map is being drawn up to decide which isles will get priority.
“The work required of the appointed consultant will include an implementation route map that will set out the order in which projects should be prioritised, the methodology for defining this and associated timelines,” she said.
“The route map will form part of the package of work presented to elected members in due course.”
There has been some uncertainty over the number of fixed links being pursued.
Proposals initially considered five tunnels – serving Unst, Yell, Whalsay, Bressay and Fetlar. But the Fetlar link has seemingly since been dropped.
Ms Shearer was asked to clarify if the SIC was still pursuing fixed links for all five islands or if Fetlar had been taken off the list.
“The inter-island connectivity programme work will consider options for eight inter-island routes to form one network strategy,” she responded.
“The Fair Isle route is being taken forward through a separate business case.”
Read the full exclusive in this week’s Shetland Times.
Cecil Robertson
When tunnel to Unst is completed, no ferry needed, but still needed to go to Fetlar, so what’s the point? Therefore a tunnel needed to goto Fetlar. In future Shetland will need local food from fertile Fetlar and easy access by tunnel essential.
Cecil Robertson
First tunnel? The merits of Yell or Whalsay have equal proponents, but remember that it has been Whalsay who have been asking for one for decades and got costings from Norwegian tunnelers 20 or 30 years ago, which work and initiative should be recognised. They also need new harbour to run on conjunction with providing their tunnel.