News / Tunnels must wait
HOPES of building a tunnel to Whalsay using public money appear to have been kicked into touch for the time being after a meeting between the Scottish government and Shetland Islands Council on Monday.
A delegation of five councillors and three senior Shetland Islands Council officials were told that no money would be available for at least five years due to the state of the public finances.
The visit followed efforts led by North Isles councillor Robert Henderson to find ways of attracting external funding to build a tunnel to Whalsay.
Arguments over the future of the island’s transport links have fractured the 1,000 strong community for the past six months. The council has promised to make a final decision on whether to build a tunnel or a new ferry terminal at North Voe on Wednesday next week.
The Shetland delegation wanted to know if the government would support them on a long term £300 million tunnel building programme to provide fixed links to Bressay, Yell, Unst and Whalsay.
SIC infrastructure chairwoman Iris Hawkins said the government could offer no guarantees for the future, but indicated that if Shetland was committed to building fixed links they could meet again early next year to pursue long term objectives.
“In the times that we are in at the moment no one can guarantee a whole wad of cash,” Mrs Hawkins said.
“But they said if we’re still of a mind to progress with tunnels we were to come back in January or February to discuss things. I think some of the members felt they were taking us on for discussions for the long term.”
Shetland North member Alastair Cooper was certainly of the opinion that the government wanted to work with the council to build fixed links to its four main island communities.
“They have agreed they will work with us over the next four or five years to put together a case so that when we are ready to build tunnels the finances will be in place and there is a good chance of getting European structural funds,” Mr Cooper said.
“The Scottish government may assist us as well and they are looking to go into partnership so that we can get tunnels for Shetland. I think this is the beginning of a partnership.”
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