Open day looks for feedback on proposed Quarff-Maywick fibre optic cable

An open day next week will seek feedback over a proposed fibre optic cable from Quarff to Maywick.

Shetland Telecom is seeking responses to its plans for the back-up cable which will provide resilience to its network in case the main cable between Lerwick and Sandwick should suffer a fault.

The cable is expected to run from a chamber at Quarff to the Faroese cable shore station at Maywick, running through four common grazing areas in Quarff, Cunningsburgh and Sandwick and some private land.

Running the cable under ground is considered to be a safer option than putting it out to sea – not least because any technical problems can be resolved more easily.

Proposals have already been lodged with Shetland Islands Council’s planning department over the move.

The open day is scheduled for Tuesday at the Carnegie Public Hall in Sandwick, from 2pm to 8pm.