Bridges and tunnels could transform Scotland’s islands, report finds

The building of bridges and tunnels could transform the economies of Scotland’s islands, a Westminster report has found.

The Scottish Affairs Committee warned the country’s ageing and “unreliable” ferry network is placing “intolerable limitations” on island communities.

The reliance on these vessels is harming businesses while contributing to the depopulation and out-migration of younger people and restricting access to healthcare, employment and education, the report said.

MPs warned that simply replacing the ferries may not address long-term transport issues facing islanders and said that where viable, fixed link infrastructure could be “transformative”.

The report said the building of tunnels and bridges should be given “serious consideration,” particularly proposals being developed in Shetland and the Western Isles.

In the summer, Shetland Islands Council voted in favour of up to four undersea tunnels in the region, at an estimated cost of around £1.5bn.

The council leader said with the help of Scottish and UK Governments, they could be built in as little as eight years.

And earlier in the year, the Western Isles local authority said it supported bridges or tunnels across its islands.

The Scottish Affairs Committee said that while transport was devolved to the Scottish Government, the UK Government had clear precedent for backing transport projects if it served the wider interests of the UK, including Scotland’s energy and space sectors.

The key question, MPs say, is not whether the UK Government can support fixed links in Scotland, but “whether it is willing to do so”.

The committee said that fixed links should not be viewed as a replacement for ferries, but as one element of a reliable transport network.

The Scottish Affairs Committee said bridges and tunnels would only be suitable for certain shorter crossings and “should not distract from the urgent need to improve ferry services, which remain a lifeline for many island communities”.

Given the scale, complexity and cost of fixed links projects, local authorities would “struggle” to deliver them alone and would benefit from UK Government support, the committee said.

The report urges the UK Government to engage constructively with project proposals, and not to assess projects on economic return alone.

Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “Scotland’s island communities deserve better than their unreliable ferry services, which place intolerable limitations on islanders going about their daily life – from accessing healthcare and education, to running businesses.

“Our report finds that, where viable, fixed links like bridges and tunnels could bring transformative benefits to these communities.

“Of course, any decision to pursue these projects rests first and foremost with islanders themselves.

“It’s also crucial to recognise that bridges and tunnels would complement, not replace, ferry services. For many, ferries will remain essential – improving their reliability must remain an urgent priority.

“The UK and Scottish Government have an important role to play in supporting projects. If proposals go ahead, our report shows that local authorities and communities would benefit enormously from government support.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Transport is a devolved responsibility, but the UK Government supports the growth of our island communities.

“We will respond to the Scottish Affairs Committee report in due course.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the potential benefits fixed links could bring and welcome the Committee’s conclusion that the UK Government has a key role to play in their delivery, alongside local authorities and the Scottish Government, and we look forward to discussing this further.

“We are committed to continuing our close engagement with island councils. Through our new National Islands Plan, we have committed to working with local authorities to explore financing models and promote investment opportunities in fixed links projects within their areas.

“The 2026-27 budget delivered in full, the asks of the relevant island councils by allocating a further £11.4m of resource and £15.5m capital for inter-island connectivity.”