Shetland to approve £1.5bn undersea tunnels to connect islands together

Undersea tunnels designed to connect the Shetland Islands are expected to be approved by councilors on Tuesday, promising a major overhaul of inter-island transport.

Shetland Islands Council will debate a draft strategy proposing a tunnel from the mainland to Yell and Unst. Two more tunnels could potentially connect Whalsay and Bressay.

The four tunnels, estimated to be worth £1.5 billion, will replace inter-island ferry services.

Currently, ferry services to the islands, described as the “social and economic backbone”, are carried out by 12 ships making 70,000 trips annually to the nine islands and carrying 750,000 passengers.

However, there are concerns about the age of the ferry fleet connecting the islands.

According to an indicative timetable published by the council, the tunnels will open in 2034.

Councilor Moraig Lyall is chair of the council’s environment and transport committee.

He previously said: “It is fair to say that this project is now of great importance both nationally and locally.

“The fact that tunnels are on the list of priorities of all the main political parties ahead of the Holyrood election is testament to the great progress we have made in putting this issue on the agenda at a national level.

“We continue to engage with both the UK and Scottish Governments to take forward the recommendations of this in-depth study.”