Shetland eyes Faroes-style tunnels to switch ageing ferries

[ad_1] James Prepare dinner Scotland Editor

Reporting fromTórshavn, Faroe Islands Cara Berkley BBC Information

Reporting fromTórshavn, Faroe Islands <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/81a2/live/c3781810-60da-11f0-8ac5-65f73105a17e.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="BBC A grey car enters a tunnel, driving past red "no pedestrian" and "no cyclist" roadsigns. The tunnel disappears into a grassy hillside. A blue and white radio station information sign reads "FM 100.0"." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> BBC The 18 islands which make up the Faroes are related by 23 tunnels, 4 of which run beneath the ocean

The Faroese prime minister says Shetland might increase development and revitalise island life by following his nation in changing ageing ferries with undersea tunnels.

Shetland Islands Council says it's pushing forward with plans to construct tunnels to 4 outlying isles within the archipelago together with Unst, probably the most northerly place within the UK.

"I feel we've got realized within the Faroe Islands that funding in infrastructure is an effective funding," Aksel Johannesen instructed BBC Information.

Shetland Islands Council says its multi-million pound challenge is more likely to be funded by borrowing cash and paying it again by way of tolls, doubtlessly offering a brand new transport mannequin for different Scottish islands.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2cc2/live/eb13a020-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Faroese prime minister Aksel Johannesen pictured in an office with two blurred out gold-framed paintings hanging on a white wall behind him. He has brown hair combed to the side and is clean-shaven. He is looking directly at the camera with a serious expression. He is wearing a black shirt and a checked blazer." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> The Faroese prime minister Aksel Johannesen instructed BBC Information tunnels had helped to develop the inhabitants and the economic system of the archipelago

Critics say politicians in Scotland have wasted years speaking about tunnels whereas the Faroes, almost 200 miles additional out into the Atlantic, have truly constructed them.

"It's irritating," says Anne Anderson of salmon producer Scottish Sea Farms, which employs almost 700 folks in Scotland, together with just below 300 in Shetland.

The island chain produces 1 / 4 of all Scottish salmon - the UK's most dear meals export with worldwide gross sales of £844m in 2024.

"Ten years in the past Scottish salmon used to have 10 per cent of the worldwide market. These days we're slipping ever nearer to 5 per cent," provides Ms Anderson, who blames that slide, partly, on an absence of funding in public infrastructure .

She agrees that the UK ought to look to the Faroes for inspiration.

"Establish what works nicely for them after which simply copy and paste and let's get transferring," urges Ms Anderson.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/808b/live/fea6c3b0-60e3-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="A windswept Anne Anderson photographed from the chest up in a marina setting. She has grey hair - tied back - blue-rimmed glasses and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a blue jacket with a "Scottish Sea Farms" logo on the left hand side. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Anne Anderson of Scottish Sea Farms says politicians ought to get transferring

They've been constructing tunnels within the Faroes because the Nineteen Sixties.

The 18 islands which make up the self-governing nation underneath the sovereignty of Denmark are related by 23 tunnels, 4 of which run beneath the ocean.

Extra are underneath development.

Most dramatic is a 7.1 mile (11.4km) tunnel which connects the island of Streymoy to 2 sides of a fjord on the island of Eysturoy.

It contains the world's solely undersea roundabout.

At its deepest level it's 187m (614ft) beneath the waves and has halved the driving time between the capital Tórshavn and the second largest city, Klaksvik.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c013/live/22ad4de0-60dc-11f0-a40e-a1af2950b220.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Photograph of vehicles streaking past a roundabout in a tunnel. The tunnel has a green/ blue backdrop and black silhouettes of figures on it. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> A tunnel which connects the islands of Streymoy and Eysturoy contains the world's solely undersea roundabout, nicknamed the jellyfish

Talking in his grass-roofed workplace searching over a busy harbour in Tórshavn, Johannesen says tunnels helped to develop the inhabitants and the economic system of the archipelago, which is dwelling to some 54,000 folks, in distinction to Shetland's 23,000.

"It is about ambition," says tunnel builder Andy Sloan, whose firm labored on a part of the Faroese tunnel challenge.

He provides the islands have led the world "in connecting an archipelago in the midst of the North Atlantic by way of blood, sweat and tears – and focus.

"They've delivered a exceptional piece of infrastructure," says Mr Sloan, who's govt vice-president of engineering agency COWI.

It's now advising Shetland Islands Council on the technicalities and financing of tunnels.

The Faroese tunnels had been constructed utilizing a method referred to as drill and blast – the place holes are drilled in rock, explosives are dropped in, and the rubble is then cleared away – which Mr Sloan says may be utilized in Scotland.

"Doubtless, Shetland can copy what has been achieved in these islands," he provides.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f113/live/d01034c0-60dc-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Head and shoulder shot of a smiling Andy Sloan, who is bald, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a navy suit jacket, navy half-zip jumper and a white shirt with the top button open. Green shrubbery is visible in the background." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Tunnel builder Andy Sloan's firm labored on the Faroese tunnels

Prof Erika Anne Hayfield, dean of the School of Historical past and Social Sciences on the College of the Faroe Islands, says the tunnels have delivered important advantages.

"Folks can dwell and thrive in smaller settlements," whereas nonetheless taking part absolutely in island life and commuting to "the central labour market" in Tórshavn, she explains.

"In the long run, by way of demography, social sustainability, lots of people on islands consider that it's essential," provides Prof Hayfield.

However she mentioned the prices of some tunnels had been controversial, with some Faroese arguing that they're being constructed on the expense of investing in faculties and hospitals.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/22c7/live/375d0f90-60dd-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Drone footage of Tórshavn marina, with government buildings, some of which have grass roofs, visible in the foreground. A number of boats can also be seen in the picture" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> The capital, Tórshavn, is a shorter commute for islanders because the development of the tunnel community

Shetland's principal city, Lerwick, could also be nearer to Tórshavn than it's to Edinburgh – and nearer to Copenhagen than London – however advocates of tunnels insist the islands aren't a distant backwater however a complicated economic system constrained by poor infrastructure.

The archipelago of 100 islands on the confluence of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean boasts the UK's solely spaceport and a thriving fishing trade.

"We land extra fish in Shetland than we do in the entire of England, Northern Eire and Wales," says council chief Emma Macdonald.

"Tunnels may very well be extremely transformational," she continues.

Macdonald provides: "We're actually excited concerning the alternative."

The twentieth Century oil and fuel growth introduced Shetland riches however the islands have since embraced the shift to renewable power and are dwelling to the UK's most efficient onshore wind farm.

"Shetland's actually integral to Scotland and to the broader UK," says Macdonald.

The council has authorised a £990,000 feasibility examine into constructing tunnels connecting Shetland's principal island with 4 outlying isles – Unst, Yell, Bressay and Whalsay.

It has not but revealed an estimated price for development or a timeframe however a supply near the discussions has instructed BBC Information {that a} detailed report on how the tunnels may very well be delivered and funded can be accomplished early subsequent yr with selections to observe later in 2026.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e527/live/59c64e60-60de-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Head and shoulders shot of Elizabeth Johnson, who has short grey hair, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a grey t-shirt and a darker grey jacket with a navy "Saxavord UK Space Port" patch. She is standing on a shoreline and the sea is visible under grey skies in the background " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Elizabeth Johnson says tunnels would "improve the financial viability of the island"

"Tunnels would actually open up this island for companies," says Elizabeth Johnson, exterior affairs supervisor of Saxavord Spaceport on Unst.

She provides that they'd "improve the financial viability of the island".

However with neither the Scottish nor UK governments volunteering to pay for Shetland's tunnels, the Faroese funding mannequin of borrowing paid again by tolls seems to be more likely to be adopted.

"I feel folks recognise that there's in all probability a necessity for tolling and I feel folks perceive that," says Macdonald.

She provides: "They already need to pay to go on the ferries."

At current the council runs ferry providers to 9 islands, carrying round 750,000 passengers every year on 12 vessels at a value of £23m per yr.

The common age of the fleet is 31.5 years, prices have risen sharply prior to now decade, and a few routes are struggling to fulfill demand for automobile locations.

Hebridean and Clyde ferries, off the west of Scotland, run by Scottish government-owned Caledonian MacBrayne, are additionally ageing and have been beset by issues.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3922/live/96405f60-60df-11f0-bfe6-55783cb3c7cd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Drone shot of a white car preparing to enter a tunnel in the Faroes. The tunnel has been constructed under green fields and some sheep are also visible in the image." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> The 18 islands which make up the self-governing nation underneath the sovereignty of Denmark are related by 23 tunnels

Mr Sloan says tunnels might present extra sturdy transport hyperlinks for the west coast in addition to the Northern Isles.

"Fairly frankly, it may be repeated in Shetland, and never simply Shetland, presumably elsewhere in Scotland."

Mr Sloan agrees that tolls are probably the most possible funding choice.

Tolls had been abolished on the Skye Bridge in 2004 after a long-running marketing campaign of non fee, and had been scrapped on the Forth and Tay highway bridges in 2008.

However Ms Johnson, of the Saxavord Spaceport, reckons Shetlanders could be completely happy to pay their approach.

"I do not assume anyone that I've spoken to could be in opposition to tolls," she says.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4489/live/b4e99180-60f7-11f0-a82a-058d5a3df25c.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Vehicles streak past the two lanes in a tunnel either side of a yellow sign which reads: "Klaksvik"" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> 4 tunnels within the Faroes run beneath the ocean

Though there is no such thing as a organised opposition to tunnels in Shetland some locals do categorical concern about whether or not they would change what it means to be an island.

Pat Burns runs the northernmost store within the British Isles, The Closing Checkout on Unst.

She was not satisfied about tunnels at first, fearing that they'd alter the character of island life.

"I just like the challenges of making an attempt to get from A to B," she explains.

Nevertheless after years of worrying about unhealthy climate interrupting provides for her store and seeing vacationers turned away as a result of ferries are full, she has modified her thoughts.

"I used to be a wee bit iffy-iffy about it earlier than," she says, "however now I realise that if Unst does not get a tunnel, the problem goes to be too massive."