I agree that future transport provision within Orkney needs thinking outside the box and it would be good to have open discussion within communities about this. Though the idea of fixed links between the isles suggests an increased dependence on cars, which is something I would like to see reduced. Though I have not seen figures presented on environmental costs between the various forms of transport. I can only speak regarding Hoy & Graemsay - I'm on the local community council and we have had just informal discussions about this whenever it is highighted in the press - first comment is always - would be nice if someone talked to the community! If there WAS a fixed link from Graemsay to Hoy a) a car ferry would still be needed to travel between Graemsay & STromness b) new roads would need to be constructed on graemsay and at the North End of Hoy to take the traffic c) Graemsay would become a drive through completely changing the way of life on the island (eg kids can safely go about on their bikes from the age of 5 as only island transport uses the single track road (which has no passing places). d) Folk in Longhope (one of the main settlements on Hoy) would have a 20 mile journey to the ferry. e) Lyness is being developed for "renewables" potentially generating more traffic, be it car or marine vehicles so would still need some access at the South end of the island........ is it therefore worth developing a fixed link at the North end? Not to mention the potential for the Container Hub at Lyness. So there are lots of issues to be debated and I, along with many residents on Hoy and Graemsay (and other islands) would welcome *public* debate on them, rather than just reading about them in the local paper, usually reports from councillors who have not sent foot on the island or spoken directly with the community, and yes I've told them that directly ;-) So folks as you can see - transport is a hot topic in Orkney!! On 17/06/2010 09:52, Charles Tait wrote: > Last for today. > > Transport in Orkney needs thinking for the future. > > Fixed links between the North Isles would create an area about the size > of the Mainland. Services such as health and education would be > transformed. The possibilities for economic development are immense. > > Equally joining Hoy to Stromness via Graemsay would have great benefits. > > The sleepy little island mentality is just that and needs thinking far > out of the box. > > We have oil funds to invest and the Norwegians have the expertise, so > why not just get on with it? > > But I like most Orcadians am 100% against a Pentland Firth tunnel. > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2944 - Release Date: 06/17/10 12:33:00 > >