Marketing campaign launched to discover subsea tunnels to hyperlink Shetland islands
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slanders have launched a marketing campaign to discover the potential for constructing tunnels to hyperlink two isles to the Shetland mainland.
The Yell and Unst Tunnel Action Groups imagine constructing sub-sea hyperlinks might assist increase financial prosperity within the islands and scale back reliance on ferry providers.
The teams have already secured greater than £100,000 to launch the mission and wish to elevate extra funds to fee geo-technical investigations in addition to socio-economic and environmental influence research.
By creating this everlasting infrastructure, we might help the islands obtain their true potential
Graham Hughson, Yell Tunnel Action Group (YTAG) chairman, stated: “This project seeks to lay the foundations for the tunnel infrastructure which, if successful, will breathe new life into the island communities, support economic and social development, and deliver a reliable, sustainable transport system for residents, businesses, and visitors.
“Our first challenge is to demonstrate if this scheme is technically and economically achievable, and we are very grateful to Unst Spaceport and North Yell Development Council, each of whom have committed £50,000 to the project.
“This financial support is a truly positive demonstration of how the islands’ business community view the potential connection of Unst and Yell to the Shetland mainland by subsea tunnels.
“Today we are launching the campaign to add to this funding and take the critical first step in realising our vision for unrestricted travel to Yell and Unst.
“By creating this permanent infrastructure, we can help the islands achieve their true potential, fostering economic prosperity, improving the quality of life for islanders, and promoting a sustainable future.”
SaxaVord spaceport is taking form on a distant peninsula in Unst and it’s hoped it’s going to host a sub-orbital rocket launch in October, with the primary launch into house anticipated in April subsequent 12 months
Unst is related to Yell and Yell to mainland Shetland by ferry, nevertheless the teams stated the continued reliance on ferry providers is changing into more and more unsustainable.
They imagine subsea tunnels would make the islands extra accessible, no matter climate circumstances.
Unst Tunnel Action Group (UTAG) chairman Alec Priest stated: “Space is often restricted for both commercial and passenger traffic at peak times, services are subject to suspension for weather, technical issues or crew availability, and running costs, maintenance, and replacement of vessels comes at an increasingly high price to the public purse.
“The proposed subsea tunnels will not only mitigate these challenges but also provide a reliable and efficient transport solution that ensures uninterrupted connectivity, irrespective of weather conditions.
“Additionally, this initiative will, in the long term, significantly reduce carbon emissions, promoting environmental sustainability and preserving the natural beauty of the islands.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the mission can accomplish that at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/unst-yell-tunnel-action-groups-fundraiser-1