Wishart presses for date for Scottish Government and SIC to meet to discuss tunnels

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart has, in a Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands question session, called for a date for the Scottish Government to meet with Shetland Islands Council to discuss short subsea tunnels between islands in Shetland.

Wishart highlighted the reported interest of the UK Government in tunnels and growing economic sectors in the islands including the spaceport, salmon exports and the renewables energy sector.

The Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, was unable to provide a date but thanked Ms Wishart for hosting a meeting in Lerwick with the Minister and representatives from the Unst and Yell Tunnel Action Groups when she visited in August this year.

A second round of Tunnel Vision Roadshow events in the islands in August was hosted by Ms Wishart and Alistair Carmichael MP.

Earlier this week Ms Wishart highlighted the economic benefit to the UK and Scottish economies tunnels in Shetland could bring via the food and drink sector which exports globally.

During the session Ms Wishart asked:

“With the growing space, salmon and renewable energy sectors in Shetland, and the reported growing interest of the UK Government in meeting with Shetland Islands Council about short subsea tunnels, will the Scottish Government commit a date to meet with Shetland Islands Council specifically to discuss tunnels?”

Afterwards Ms Wishart commented:

“Communities across Shetland are voicing their support for tunnels.

“I welcome the Transport Minister’s commitment to keep an open dialogue with the council on this matter and I will continue to press the Scottish Government to support the project.

“Local reports have shown the growing interest of the UK Government in short subsea tunnels for Shetland. Co-operation across local, Scottish and UK Government is needed in order for real progress to be made.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Ms Wishart’s question can be seen here.

Ms Wishart’s speech on the food and drink sector can be seen here.