By rosebell
As a major landmark for plans to build tunnels between the Shetland mainland and Yell, and Yell and Unst,Sonar investigations have been launched for the proposed subsea tunnels for Shetland.
With the aim of contributing to the determination of the tunnel alignments, this report is due to make recommendations for the seismic survey locations.
The end of March is scheduled date for site visits and fieldwork is expected to take up to three months, whereas the report is going to be published within six weeks of completion.
In order to advancing the tunnel project, the Unst and Yell Tunnel Action Groups (UTAG & YTAG) have spearheaded efforts and raised the funds to commission the investigative work. The responsibility of carrying out this project is up to Norwegian consultancy Norconsult that is thanks to financial contributions from local businesses, individuals, and community supporters who have backed the initiative.
According to Duncan Gray, joint chair of Unst Tunnel Action Group: “We are delighted to have been able to engage such highly experienced industry experts. Norconsult will bring the skills and experience that they have gained from their work in areas where tunnelling is well established to our project and indeed the UK.”
Graham Hughson, joint chair of Yell Tunnel Action Group, said: “It was a huge step forward for the project. Norconsult’s role will be to prepare the basis for carrying out seismic ground investigations using sonar technology, provide a follow-up and report on the seismic investigations, prepare the tunnel alignments (choosing the most probable alignments using updated grade requirements), and prepare overviews and longitudinal sections for the tunnels. Should adjustments be needed following the seismic investigations, Norconsult will refine the alignments accordingly.”
Being commissioned separately, the seismic surveys are expected to be completed in 2026 and the seismic investigations are slated to be carried out by the Norwegian company GeoPhysix, as a sub-consultant to Norconsult.
“We are absolutely delighted to have reached this breakthrough stage in the project’s development, and to finally be laying the groundwork to make things happen. It is thanks to the many businesses and private individuals in our communities and beyond who have donated to the Groups that we have been able to reach this milestone moment. It is the donators’ vision and generosity that has enabled us to move forward so significantly from planning to real action. We are incredibly grateful for every contribution,” said Alice Mathewson, joint chair of Unst Tunnel Action Group.
