Carlos Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 I think that was already outlined in the first bridge report, way back... 6 years ago? In an ideal world that would be it all be cut and dried, but getting any decent long term ferry costs is a tough one, as the running costs are largely paid by direct goverment support. That leaves them free to change percentages pretty much anytime, or to mess with the levels of service they will support (most ferry runs in Scotland have much shorter opperating hours than Shetland ferries do). Whatever the pros and cons on a bridge / tunnel, the finances do at least come under Shetland control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickB Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Can anyone tell me why they had the meetings in Aberdeen? Surely they could have had the meeings in Barbados instead of wasting our money on cold aberdeen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArabiaTerra Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Just out of interest, was there a controversy like this about the Burra/Trondra bridges? Also what are the annual running costs of those, and how often are they closed for weather? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoogler Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 The sum of £4 million that was allocated from the current European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has already been lost as a result of the delay (fact). This is nothing to do with the specific costs already comitted by both sides in staff costs, consultancy, lawyers costs, etc. (another £4 million?). The next phase of EU funding (2007-13) is significantly reduced as a result of EU expansion and 'convergence', as Highlands and Islands are proportionately not as deserving as newer areas. The chances of getting any 'external ' money for a bridge (or tunnel) in the future are pretty limited. So we will be looking at paying top wack for whatever we end up with. The biggest drawback of any proposal (apart form the number of closures if it is a bridge) is that it will be circa 7 miles from central Lerwick to, say, Maryfield. Now that's the same as a taxi journey to Scalloway every time anyone wants to travel in either direction. Not very good for anyone either living in Bressay wanting a night (day) out or indeed anyone who doesn't have a car. What do Bressay folk really think of that? Someone previously mentioned a chain ferry - now that seems to me to be a pretty good idea. The current debacle and the current Council position is absurd and damaging to Shetland. We are a bloody laughing stock throughout Scotland I can assure you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trout Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 Further information pertaining to the "debackle". Written by Hans J. Marter and published on shetland-news.co.uk SHETLAND is already losing business due to the damaging row over the proposed bridge between Lerwick and the island of Bressay. The islands' council and Lerwick Port Authority are bogged down in a complex legal stand off which many now regard as a farce. Shetland Islands Council wants to build a £23 million bridge across Lerwick harbour to Bressay in a bid to open up the island for housing. But the port objects, saying the bridge poses a navigational hazard in a part of the harbour that is earmarked for major expansion and job creation. They propose building a tunnel instead, which has a price tag of around £30 million. An interim interdict is preventing the port authority from dredging a deeper channel where the bridge is supposed to cross the sound so larger vessels can enter the harbour. Recent peace talks with the help of independent mediators have ended in deadlock. The row has already cost both sides in the region of £4.5 million, including a £1.6 million claim by Belgium dredging contractor Jan de Nul for the loss of business due to the interdict. A £4 million allocation of EU funding to build the bridge has been lost due to the ongoing delays in the project. Port chief executive Allan Wishart: 'Port development has come to a standstill' - Photo: Hans J MarterPort chief Allan Wishart said yesterday (Wednesday) that Shetland was now starting to suffer as the conflict had brought the development of the port to a standstill. Last month Lerwick lost out on a major oil rig decommissioning contract when BP chose a Teeside-based company to break up the massive North West Hutton platform rather than the Lerwick-based consortium led by Aker Kvaerner and SBS Logistics. Mr Wishart said: "Being unable to dredge the harbour does not only impact on decommissioning but also on fishing vessels getting to Shetland Catch and the Heogan fishmeal factory. It is absolutely essential for us." According to figures from Shetland Enterprise, the port supports around 2,000 jobs in the isles. "In order to keep those jobs we need to keep on developing the harbour, we need to dredge and we need to make land. If we don't do that it will bring the port into question with potential investors," Mr Wishart said. It is understood that already one outside investor had to be turned away as the port was unable to offer any new land for development. And projects such as moving the fish market to a more sheltered location at Gremista and extending the Shetland Catch coldstore have been put on ice. "If we had that now as we should have had, we would be talking to all these people and would be making plans. The land reclamation part of the dredging is vital for the harbour development." Shetland Islands Council will now try to get permission to build the bridge via a private bill that will have to go through the Scottish Parliament, a process that could take years. Council convener Sandy Cluness expressed his frustration that no local solution had been found. He confirmed his determination to continue his fight for the bridge, saying: "Bressay must be the only island in the whole of Scotland so close to the mainland that is not linked to the mainland." But councillor John Nicolson, a former vice convener, said: "It seems that we are unable to manage our own internal affairs. It vexes me and it does us no favours." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 What a total mess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 "The row has already cost both sides in the region of £4.5 million, including a £1.6 million claim by Belgium dredging contractor Jan de Nul for the loss of business due to the interdict. A £4 million allocation of EU funding to build the bridge has been lost due to the ongoing delays in the project..." That's mental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 He confirmed his determination to continue his fight for the bridge, saying: "Bressay must be the only island in the whole of Scotland so close to the mainland that is not linked to the mainland." what !! a bridge from bressay to the scottish mainland! well after that it wid seem silly no ta big annidder een across ta lerick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trout Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Latest: THE WAR of words between Shetland Islands Council and Lerwick Port Authority over the controversial Bressay bridge continues, just weeks after peace talks concluded without a settlement. Read the rest of the article here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twerto Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 just a question that has coms to mind.. Would the 8 million ( assumeing it 4 million each side ) that has been spent/wasted on legal fees and meetings etc etc of covered the extra cost of building a bridge with a bigger span or tunnel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMouth Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I have got a coin - couldn't some one just toss it. Can anyone come up with a better solution? SIC v LPA Darts Night ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarotangel Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Rant Alert Good grief its lik watching a couple o bairns in the playground. I'm just waiting for the "I'm going to tell my faither on you" bit There's a huge part of me wants to head home get the pair o them by the lug and bang their heads together. Although I am against bridge/tunnel that money could have been put to good use on the bridge/tunnel instead of it been wasted on what is essentially nothing. The pair of them are more interested in petty arguments rather than getting something sorted out properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twerto Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 or get Sandy Cluness and Alan Whisart to Swim across the mouth of the harbour... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMouth Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 or get Sandy Cluness and Alan Whisart to Swim across the mouth of the harbour... Got to be cheaper - few pound of lard, a couple of cossies and a pilot boat. What are we looking at £500. Sell hom-bakes and teas, get the money back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Inky Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 or get Sandy Cluness and Alan Whisart to Swim across the mouth of the harbour...We could club together and hire some sharks for the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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