Tunnels plan to connect Shetland Islands expected to be backed by councillors

Plans for a system of undersea tunnels connecting the Shetland Islands are expected to be approved by councillors on Tuesday.

Shetland Islands Council will discuss a draft strategy on the inter-island transport connectivity programme – which proposes a tunnel between Shetland’s mainland to the island of Yell and another to the northerly island of Unst.

Two more tunnels could potentially connect the islands of Whalsay and Bressay.

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

The Bressay Ferry sailing from Lerwick to Bressay PA Media

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.

Councillor Moraig Lyall is chairwoman of the council’s environment and transport committee.

She said earlier: “It’s fair to say that this project is now of great significance nationally, as well as locally.

“Tunnels were on the list of priorities for all the main political parties in the run-up to the Holyrood elections, evidence of the great strides we have made in getting this issue onto the agenda at a national level.

“We continue to engage with both the UK and Scottish Governments as we look towards taking forward the recommendations of this in-depth study.”