Shetland's £1.5 billion tunnel plan hinges on central government funding, unlike Nordic precedents

Shetland Islands Council voted to commission a feasibility study for four subsea tunnels worth £1.5 billion to replace ferry links. The Faroe Islands and Norway financed similar projects nationally. Shetland, a local authority, must negotiate with the Scottish Government and potentially the UK Treasury. A 30-year financing programme will test whether public funding, levelling-up mechanisms, or private finance can close the gap.