We will engage in the development of a new Shetland Transport Strategy that sets a clear strategic and policy framework in response to the drivers for change.
Work on the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) for Shetland continues. This strategy will set the framework for the development of transport links over the next 20 years, both within Shetland and to/from the Scottish Mainland.
The strategy began with a ‘Case for Change’ consultation in March 2022, which set out the existing transport issues and established a number of strategic objectives. A set of options, informed by data analysis, research, and stakeholder and public engagement, to deliver these objectives has since been developed and appraised, and collated into the draft.
It was originally intended that the consultation draft would be presented to ZetTrans* and to the council’s Environment and Transport Committee (the committee with the appropriate remit) in September 2022. However, the final drafting was paused to align with the evolving situation around the scoping and programming of inter-island transport issues and the draft RTS was delayed until November. This also delayed the consultation on the draft strategy, but it was recognised that it was important to align the content of the RTS and the inter-island connectivity process to make sure that the strategic policies support actions to be taken.
The public consultation on the draft strategy was launched early December 2022 and ran to February 2023. A final document will be submitted to Scottish Ministers in due course.
*Zetland Transport Partnership is one of seven Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) in Scotland, established under the Regional Transport Partnership (Establishment and Constitution) (Scotland) Order 2005.
