Tunnels and bridges could transform Scotland's islands, say MPs

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 16 Oct, 12:58 · Archive

A House of Commons committee says tunnels and bridges could be transformative for some Scottish island communities.

The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee has published a report concluding that tunnels and bridges could have transformative benefits for Scotland's island communities. The committee says fixed links could help improve quality of life, strengthen island economies and reverse downward population trends, particularly on shorter inter-island crossings in Shetland and the Western Isles.

The report calls on the UK Government to actively engage with communities on fixed link proposals and give serious consideration to supporting these projects. The committee chairwoman, Patricia Ferguson MP, stated that any proposal must have the support of affected local communities first and foremost. Ferguson added that while fixed links could have a transformative impact where viable, the debate about them must not distract from the urgent need to improve Scotland's ferry services.

The committee's findings follow visits to the Faroe Islands, where MPs saw how an established network of tunnels and bridges has transformed daily life. The committee emphasises that fixed links will only be suitable for certain shorter crossings and should not be viewed as a replacement for ferries, which remain essential for many island communities.

How it is being reported

• Report adds to ‘drumbeat of support’ for fixed links, says MP‘Tunnels could be transformative for Shetland’Shetland Times · 16 Oct, 13:04
• Tunnels and bridges could be ‘transformative’ for Scotland’s islands, says MPsTunnels or bridges could have “transformative benefits” for Scotland’s island communities, a group of MPs has said. The UK Government has been called on to “actively engage” with communities on fixed link proposals, and “give serious consideration” to supporting these projects. But the Scottish Affairs Committee has said that the debate around these major infrastructure […] The post Tunnels and bridges could be ‘transformative’ for Scotland’s islands, says MPs appeared first on The Orcadian Online .The Orcadian · 16 Oct, 12:37
• OPINION: ‘Overwhelming evidence’ tunnels could be ‘transformative’ for islands - and Shetland ‘can lead the way’“Tunnels could give Shetlanders the agency they deserve.”Shetland Times · 16 Oct, 05:30

In this story: House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee · Patricia Ferguson · Shetland · Western Isles · Faroe Islands · Scotland

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