Huge new £500m UK tunnels set to grow islands' population after 'years wasted'

New undersea tunnels would ensure that UK islands would be revitalised and increase their populations, the leader of a territory that already has its own has said. Aksel Johannesen, Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipeligo that is part of Denmark, has said that the project has helped to grow the territory's population, as well as its economy. A 6.9-miles-long subsea tunnel network links the capital of Torshavn with the second most populous island. The travel time between them has been cut from more than one hour to only 15 minutes.

The Eysturoyartunnil opened in 2020 after only four years on construction. In its heart is the world's first underwater roundabout, 72 metres below the surface. There is a cost for drivers, however, as travelling through tunnel incurs a cost of 75 Danish krona - about £9 - each way. This is charged automatically as a camera scans your registration plate.

Without a yearly subscription the toll fee is 175 kroner - around £20 - each way.

This cash is expected to fund new tunnel projects on the islands.

"I think we have learned in the Faroe Islands that investment in infrastructure is a good investment," Mr Johannesen told the BBC.

Last month, Shetland Islands Council announced that it had agreed to fund a £990,000 study, which it called "a significant step towards the construction of tunnels between our islands".

Known as the Fixed Link Model (FLM), the research will look into the commercial and financial viability of building tunnels between Shetland's islands, as well as the future steps required to move the scheme forward, Ground Engineering reports.

Possible rooutes of the tunnels include from Yell to Fetlar (5km long, up to 65m below sea level), from Yell to Unst (4.4km long, up to 44m below sea level), from Bressay to Lerwick (1.9km long, up to 25m below sea level), from Whalsay to mainland Shetland (6.35km long, up to 80m below sea level) and from Yell and mainland Shetland (6km long, up to 40m below sea level).

The Yell to Fetlar fixed link has been ruled out, however, as it would be "long and very expensive" and the population it served wouild only be about 100 strong.

"This would present very obvious affordability and value for money challenges to the council and other potential funders, compounded by the limited economic activity on Fetlar," the report added.

Currently, Shetland Islanders have to use a ferry. The average age of the fleet is 31.5 years, and costs have increased starkly over the past decade,

Some routes are also struggling to meet demand for vehicle places.