It is part of Project 30 which will connect up renewables generated across Orkney to the National Grid via an additional subsea cable.

Warnings have been raised about getting workers to and from Orkney and to other areas in the islands where work is to take place. It might seem unlikely but during the summer months Orkney’s roads become very busy with increased tourist traffic including tour buses, and lines of cyclists.

With the deadlines Project 30 has to meet and the urgency to complete the link up with the subsea cable over to the Scottish Mainland and onwards south, developers have come up with a transport solution.

It will see a temporary helicopter pad constructed in the Bay of Firth near the slipway. Workers can then be taken in and out with ease avoiding the major delays on the roads between Stromness and Kirkwall.

The helicopter will also be used to bring in extra supplies for the workers and used for medivac should that be neccessary.

Local Finstown resident, Ina McFletridge commented that she welcomed the helicopter as it will be something interesting to look at. There has been local opposition, however, with concerns raised about the effect on the bird population with so many flights being expected daily.

Fergus Graemsay