Subject to funding, the IRM could see plans advance for two subsea tunnels and eight new inter-island ferries.

Prepared by consultants Stantec, COWI and Mott MacDonald, the draft IRM is the final stage in the development of the long-term programme for inter-island transport connectivity.  

It is based on the decisions made in June this year by elected members and sets these out in a roadmap of investment over the course of roughly 30 years. 

The move will see initial plans for a tunnel from Shetland’s mainland to Yell advance initially, followed by a tunnel from Yell to Unst, subject to full funding.

Also presented in the draft is the proposed investment programme for ferry services for the other routes, such as the investment needed on Bluemull Sound.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that funding committed earlier in 2026 will be made available to enable the project business case and pre-construction work for the Yell Sound tunnel to go forward. 

Council leader Emma Macdonald: ”With Scottish Government funding in place to begin initial work for the Yell Sound tunnel, today’s decision means that this work can now get underway.

“As the work begins, we will continue to pursue the long-term funding which will not only build our tunnels, but be used to invest in our ferry services which will continue to be a lifeline for the isles.”

Macdonald added: “Our most significant challenge now is to secure funding to allow implementation of these plans to move forward.  

“Inter-island transport is the key to unlocking the potential of Shetland, and both the Scottish and UK Governments have a vested interest in helping that happen.”