Shetland Council’s long-running battle to secure what would be one of the UK’s tallest bridges is still no nearer, after talks between the local authority and Lerwick Port Authority broke down.
The two-lane bridge would span the 700m-wide channel separating the main Shetland island from Bressay, which has a population of 350 people and is currently served by a ferry service. The bridge would have a minimum air draft of 40m, making it one of the highest bridges nationally.
It was originally announced in 2003 – having been an aspiration of the council since the 1970s – as a £17M project, but three years on, with the costs now estimated to be at least £22M, the bridge is nowhere near beginning construction. This is due to highly-complex talks between the port and council. The port favours a tunnel, claiming a bridge is unnecessary and would cause problems for shipping, while the council says a tunnel is too expensive. The council’s infrastructure committee was updated on the progress of talks with the port authority when it met last week, and the council’s investigation of a tunnel or changes to the bridge’s design.
The council believes a bridge will cost between £22M and 24M, while a tunnel could cost close to £40M. The report to the meeting also stated: ‘There is no prospect of achieving a facilitated agreement on a bridge proposal. There is no prospect of achieving a facilitated agreement on a channel alignment that is compatible with the bridge proposal.’ This means council officers have decided there is no chance of agreeing on a bridge plan, or of allowing the port authority to get on with deepening the north harbour.
However, a spokeswoman for the port authority said it would meet with the council again to move the talks on. She said: ‘Personally, I do not think the talks will take place soon. ‘But, we are keen for our chief executive to meet his counterpart at the council, and talk directly without the bridge design team – talks with whom have now reached an impasse.’ The council is now moving to the Scottish transport appraisal guidance of the ferry, bridge and tunnel options. The completed document will be submitted to the Scottish Executive in the new year.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
