Transport / ‘Huge step forward’ for tunnel groups as Norwegian firm appointed to carry out investigations
A MAJOR milestone looks to have been reached in the plan for subsea tunnels to Yell and Unst with the commissioning of sonar investigations.
A report will also be produced which will make recommendations for the seismic survey locations that will contribute to the determination of the alignments of potential tunnels.
Site visits are set to begin at the end of March, with fieldwork expected to take up to three months, followed by a report within six weeks of completion.
The Unst and Yell Tunnel Action Groups, which have spearheaded efforts to advance the tunnel project, have successfully raised the necessary funds to commission the work.
Norwegian consultancy Norconsult will carry out the project, thanks to financial contributions from local businesses, individuals, and community supporters.
Norconsult are described as a leading consultancy firm in this field, having undertaken projects of this kind throughout Scandinavia and the Faroe Islands.
Joint-chair of the Unst Tunnel Action Group Duncan Gray said: “We are delighted to have been able to engage such highly experienced industry experts.
“Norconsult will bring the skills and experience that they have gained from their work in areas where tunnelling is well established to our project and indeed the UK.”
“This is a huge step forward for the project, which we see as being absolutely vital for the long-term social and economic sustainability of our communities,” said Graham Hughson, joint chair of Yell Tunnel Action Group.
“Norconsult’s role will be to prepare the basis for carrying out seismic ground investigations using sonar technology, provide a follow-up and report on the seismic investigations, prepare the tunnel alignments (choosing the most probable alignments using updated grade requirements), and prepare overviews and longitudinal sections for the tunnels.
“Should adjustments be needed following the seismic investigations, Norconsult will refine the alignments accordingly.”
The seismic surveys themselves, which will be commissioned separately, are expected to be completed in 2026.
The seismic investigations will be carried out by the Norwegian company GeoPhysix, as a sub-consultant to Norconsult.
The Unst tunnel group’s joint chair Alice Mathewson said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached this breakthrough stage in the project’s development, and to finally be laying the groundwork to make things happen.
“It is thanks to the many businesses and private individuals in our communities and beyond who have donated to the groups that we have been able to reach this milestone moment.
“It is the donators’ vision and generosity that has enabled us to move forward so significantly from planning to real action. We are incredibly grateful for every contribution.
Kristian Aunaas, director of infrastructure at Norconsult, said the company was looking forward to working with the two tunnel groups and contributing to the “realisation of the project”.
“The assignment demonstrates that Norconsult has strong and sought-after tunnel expertise in an international context,” he said.
Tunnels will be considered in Shetland Islands Council’s ongoing review of its inter-island transport network, which should result in business cases being produced for possible future investment.
Drop-in consultation sessions have begun this week for the project, with the first taking place in Bressay on Monday.
Today there will be a session at the Mid Yell Hall between 3.30pm-7.30pm.
However, the Yell and Unst action groups confirmed in 2023 that they would fundraise themselves for surveys to be carried out on potential tunnels to the two islands – a tunnel from the Shetland mainland to Yell, and then from the north of Yell to Unst.
An online fundraiser for community donations remains open.
It was previously reported that an agreement had been worked on that will allow Shetland Islands Council access to the groups’ findings.
While there is support within the council for exploring the idea of tunnels to replace ferries on routes like Bluemull Sound, Yell Sound, Whalsay and Bressay, there still remain question marks over how they would be funded.
Fixed links for Yell and Unst in particular have gained momentum considering first launches from the SaxaVord Spaceport are expected this year.
Meanwhile disruption to ferries in recent years – including impending changes to the ferry timetable to Unst which will likely reduce the number of sailings per day – also reinforce the case of tunnels, according to the groups.
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