A committee of MPs is exploring the economic case for connecting Scotland’s islands via tunnels and bridges.
Regular disruption to ferry services has highlighted weaknesses in transport links between the islands and MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee say a lack of fixed link connections can restrict economic development.
Bridges or tunnels are being considered as long-term solutions. Shetland’s Island Council has approved a feasibility study into building tunnels into undersea tunnel connections.
The committee says fixed-link infrastructure like this has been a success in the Faroe Islands, an archipelago 200 miles further into the Atlantic than the Shetland Islands. Faroe has been building undersea tunnels since the 1960s.
Scotland’s islands have been highlighted as a key region for economic growth, due to their clean energy, tourism and space sectors.
Patricia Ferguson, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “Current transport links between Scotland’s islands simply don’t seem to be up to scratch.
“Delayed and cancelled ferries cause disruption for entire communities, and undoubtedly also pose huge barriers to the development of island economies.
“Fixed link infrastructure projects like undersea tunnels could be transformational for Scotland’s island communities.
“Throughout this inquiry, we’ll be looking closely at the economic case for these fixed link projects, their value for money and, ultimately, whether there could be a strategic interest for the UK Government to support their development.”
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