A series of public drop-in session will be taking place later this month to update islanders on the ongoing work into future connectivity options.
Representatives from the Council’s Programme Team, as well as consultants Stantec, Mott Macdonald and COWI, will be there to update residents on recent work and answer questions in the lead up to the next key decision-making meeting of the full Council on 30th June. Elected members will decide on the preferred options for each of the eight island routes based on the evidence and appraisal set out in the Inter-island Transport Connectivity Network Strategy Outline Business Case (OBC).
The drop-ins will take place:
- Bressay Hall – Monday 25th May 3.30-7.30 p.m.
- Mid Yell Hall – Tuesday 26th May 3.30-7.30 p.m.
- Fetlar Hall – Wednesday 27th May 4.00-7.00 p.m.
- Baltasound Hall – Wednesday 27th May 3.30-7.30 p.m.
- Symbister Hall – Thursday 28th May 3.30-7.30 p.m.
Sessions are also being arranged for Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries.
Councillor Moraig Lyall is Chair of the Council’s Environment and Transport Committee: “I'm really looking forward to this report coming to Council at the end of June, when we will make key decisions on the next steps for this trailblazing work.
“It’s fair to say that this project is now of great significance nationally, as well as locally. Tunnels were on the list of priorities for all the main political parties in the run-up to the Holyrood elections, evidence of the great strides we have made in getting this issue onto the agenda at a national level. We continue to engage with both the UK and Scottish governments as we look towards taking forward the recommendations of this in-depth study.
“In the meantime, I encourage folks to get along to the drop-in sessions to see the progress to date. Your input will help shape the final form of the report we consider in June. Continuing to keep communities updated and involved is essential to successfully moving forward towards better connectivity for our islands.”