Tunnels or bridges could complete isles road network

Western Isles local authority - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - says it would support the building of bridges or tunnels across the sounds of Harris and Barra.

Ferries make the short sea crossings but fixed links would make journeys quicker - and complete a "spinal" road route through the islands.

The comhairle has set out its position in a submission to the UK parliament's Scottish Affairs Committee, which is investigating connectivity in Scotland's islands.

Regional public transport body, Hitrans, has previously estimated it could cost up to £145m for a Sound of Harris fixed link.

In its submission, the comhairle suggested a renewable energy scheme could form part of the new crossing.

It said it would mean an extra £135m in costs, but added that it could generate significant revenue from electricity sales.

Two years ago, Scottish government agency Transport Scotland said the potential of road tunnels to connect some islands should be examined.

The comhairle said disruption to ferry services due to breakdowns had hit tourism and the food and drink sector.

It also said Sound of Harris sailings were constrained by daylight-only operations, tidal restrictions, weather cancellations and limited capacity.

The local authority said a road crossing would allow "free access across the islands without the constraint of a timetable".

It said potential benefits included improved access to health care and extended tourism seasons.

The comhairle said while it was supportive of fixed links for the sounds of Harris and Barra it did not back the idea of a tunnel or bridge to the Scottish mainland.

Councillors will be asked to formally approve the response at next week's transportation and infrastructure committee meeting.

Shetland has also been looking at the potential of replacing ferries with tunnels to connect five islands including Unst, the most northerly of the British Isles.

Four years ago, a leading Scottish engineer said undersea road tunnels could help make Scotland's island communities more sustainable.

Andy Sloan was involved in a proposal 13 years earlier for a tunnel to Bressay in Shetland, which was never built.

He said Scotland could follow the Faroe Islands example of a network of road tunnels.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.