Shetland councillors back plans to build tunnels to link some of largest islands

Councillors on Shetland have backed plans to build up to four tunnels to link some of the largest and most populated islands, after years of isolation and decline. The council voted on Tuesday to investigate financing options for the first two subsea tunnels, which would link Shetland’s Mainland with the two large northerly islands of Yell and Unst. Islanders on Yell and Unst have campaigned for years for fixed links to replace their ageing and unreliable ferries , after witnessing families leaving, businesses closing and parents forced to live away from home for work. The two projects, the first of their kind in Scotland , will cost about £655m to build and take at least eight years to complete. Emma Macdonald, the leader of Shetland Islands council, said it would press the Scottish and UK governments for help with the construction costs, which were unaffordable for Shetland on its own. “Islands with fixed links repopulate, enjoy economic growth and experience a reduction in their average age,” Macdonald said. “We have no ‘do nothing’ options here. Ferries and tunnels are both needed to unlock the potential of Shetland, and both the Scottish and UK governments have a vested interest in helping that happen.” The archipelago’s roll-on, roll-off ferries are more than 32 years old on average. They have struggled to recruit and retain staff; 50% of their crew are aged 46 or over. …