a day ago
Huge £500million underground tunnels set to connect four UK islands & ‘reverse decades of depopulation'
PLANS for a £500million underground tunnel service connecting four UK Islands have been taken to the next level.
This comes after Shetland councillors agreed to take forward proposals for the construction of tunnels between islands in a move described as 'a significant step.'
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According to The National, a report on the future of Shetland's inter-island transport was presented to councillors for the first time on Wednesday.
The report recommended enhanced ferry services for Fetlar, Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries, together with the case for tunnels to Bressay, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.
In the wake of the report, councillors have now agreed to fund a study to establish the commercial and financial viability of a tunnel system.
Future steps to move the project forward were also discussed.
The options presented in the report don't come with any cost estimates, with the council emphasising the funding is uncertain.
Earlier this year, The Scotsman reported that the tunnels are expected to cost more than £500million
Council Leader Emma Macdonald told The National: "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 reverse decades of depopulation.'
She added: '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.'
Such tunnels are common in the Faroe Islands and Norway.
Ms Macdonald also insisted that they must continue to invest in a reliable ferry service as well.
Councillors hope these plans will put a halt to depopulation
In reference to Wednesday's meeting Ms Macdonald said: 'This represents a significant step towards the construction of tunnels between our islands.'
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Isles MP Alistair Carmichael expressed his excitement for this project, saying it is now time to deliver on this long-anticipated promise.
The MP described the tunnels as having the potential to be transformative for Shetland's economy.
Mr Carmichael added: '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.'
He concluded that he is excited to keep up the momentum as he anticipates further talks with UK and Scottish governments.
The report was published by a team of consultants appointed by Shetland Islands Council.
A team of engineering consultancies COWI, Stantec and Mott Macdonald have been collaborating on the study, and exploring how transport links between islands could be improved over the next 30 years.
The National also reported that Wednesday saw the discontinuation of any possibility of a Feltar tunnel for the time being.
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