en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Shetland Islands Council has approved the next phase of a long-term transport strategy that aims to strengthen connections between the islands through a series of subsea tunnels.
As part of the Inter-island Transport Connectivity Programme, councillors have prioritised routes for each island. This marks a key step in developing a 30-year investment plan that combines ferry upgrades with future fixed links.
Under the approved proposals, the council will proceed with a fixed link between Yell and the Shetland mainland, as well as a second fixed connection across Bluemull Sound between Unst and Yell. For Fetlar, ferry services will be maintained with a dedicated vessel operating extended hours. In the short term, existing ferry operations on Bluemull Sound will continue.
For Bressay and Whalsay, councillors supported continued investment in ferry services while keeping fixed links as a long-term option. Transport arrangements for Foula remain unchanged, while for Papa Stour and Skerries, plans are being explored to improve ferry services.
The council has approved up to £200,000 from its existing budget to advance the programme, covering further research and financing options. A draft Implementation Route Map is expected in September, detailing a phased 30-year delivery plan with broad cost estimates.
The strategy comes amid growing operational challenges for the Shetland inter-island ferry network. Data shows annual operating costs rose to around £25 million in 2024/25, with the average age of the fleet reaching 32.5 years. The council also highlighted ongoing difficulties in crew recruitment and retention, as well as deck capacity constraints on several key routes.
Council leader Emma Macdonald said the decisions mark a substantial step towards providing fixed links for the islands. "We have made our position clear today, and with support from the Scottish and UK governments, we could start tunnelling in Shetland in as little as eight years," she said. "Islands with fixed links will be revitalised, driving economic growth and improving the age profile of the population. The focus now is on continuing to explore potential external funding sources, and our team will report back in September alongside the draft Implementation Route Map. Here, we have no choice but to move forward. Both ferries and tunnels are necessary to unlock Shetland's potential, and the Scottish and UK governments share a common interest in this."
The council plans to review the draft implementation plan later this year and will continue to seek government support and external financing to advance this ambitious vision.
