Fixed link advocates to share Shetland’s tunnel vision with MPs

The campaign to introduce fixed links to Shetland will step up a gear next month when MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee hear evidence as part of their inquiry into island connectivity.

Shetland Island Council (SIC) has already approved funding for modelling work on fixed links, such as tunnels or bridges, to see how they could be delivered and funded.

In a written submission to the inquiry, SIC said reliable inter-island transport was essential to support “nationally significant exporting industries”, including aquaculture.

Scottish Affairs Committee

Tunnel expert Cowi, which has been developing the fixed link model for the council, will appear before the Scottish Affairs Committee in June.

Andy Sloan, Cowi’s executive vice president, has called on politicians in Westminster and Holyrood to get behind the plan.

Building tunnels was a “relatively straightforward” process, he told the Shetland Times, but real progress needed long-term political vision, sustainable financing models and backing from both the Scottish and UK governments.

Real challenge

“The real challenge is whether we choose to deliver them or not and how we unlock the right financial model with the co-operation of both the Scottish and UK governments,” he said.

The council has spelt out the economic case for fixed links, with the movement of seafood freight, in particular, supporting a high degree of employment in the islands.

At present, seafood transport relies on “just-in-time” supply chain networks to function, which are significantly compromised by inter-island ferry service disruption, said the council in its submission to the inquiry.

Successful precedent

The Faroe Islands will be cited to MPs as a successful precedent, with their fixed link infrastructure facilitating the transport of freight, especially farmed salmon.

Investment since the 1960s in fixed links, particularly subsea tunnels, in the Faroes has “helped create one of the world’s highest-income economies, reversed population decline, and strengthened social and economic cohesion”, said SIC.

Shetland hopes to share the cost of its fixed-link developments - exploring opportunities with the UK government for low-interest loans or guarantees for private finance – because transport improvements would enable key industries to fulfil their potential, not only for the benefit of Shetland but for Scotland and the UK.