Roads update for week starting 19 February 2024

A summing up of road closures and delays due to road works or events - for the week starting Monday 19 February 2024.

Grainshore Road, Hatston Industrial Estate

Works to replace lit bollards at the junction with A965 (main Stromness to Kirkwall Road) and Grainshore Drive are planned to start from Wednesday 14 February, as weather allows. This will see the slip road into Hatston from the A965 (Stromness direction) closed to traffic, and temporary traffic signals at the junction with Grainshore Drive. Drivers heading into Hatston or Kirkwall on the A965 should plan to avoid using the slip road, continuing on the A965 instead and following diversions. The X1 public bus service will follow a short diversion as needed.

Willowburn and Willow Road, Kirkwall

Resurfacing works at the junction of Willowburn Road and Willow Road are planned from Friday 16 February to Tuesday 20 February. The works will be carried out under road closure conditions with disruption to traffic in the area. These works have been timed to take place during the mid term break/in service days for Orkney schools.

A961 Churchill Barriers

Work to replace fence posts on the barriers on all four Churchill Barriers are ongoing, though there may be days where no works are carried out due to weather. Priority signage and speed reductions are in place to control traffic. Short delays to all motorists including the X1 (Stromness to St Margaret’s Hope) public bus service. Wherever possible the works are taking place outwith school transport times.

Short closures for tree maintenance - Willow Road, Albert Street car park, Buttquoy Place

For safety reasons Willow Road, Albert Street car park, and Buttquoy Place will be closed as needed at times next week Monday, 19 February 2024 to Friday, 23 February 2024) as tree maintenance works are carried out.

A966 Gorseness Road (Tingwall end) to Woodwick Road

It's hoped to restart works here during the week starting 26 February. The temporary traffic signals which are currently on site will remain in place until the work can be completed, with short delays for all traffic including the No 6 (Tingwall / Birsay) bus service.

Laing Street, Kirkwall

Laing Street will be closed from 21 February - 20 March 2024 to enable building works and utility service connections to the Old Library. Residents should present their recycling / waste bins as normal for collection.

Queen Street, Kirkwall

Scottish Water works to enable new water connections to the new properties behind the Old Library are currently on hold.

A960, St Andrews & Toab

Scottish Water works are still ongoing but will be mainly off A960 and in fields during the next week or so.

A965, B9055 (Brodgar Road) to Stenness Village

The work to repair the areas of carriageway is currently on hold with works not expected to commence until early March 2024.

Looking Ahead:

• A964 bends at Scapa Distillery and Smoogro Road to Orphir Village (carriageway repairs) – planned to start during April 2024.
• A966 Evie, near Evie Telephone Exchange – Drainage maintenance. Dates to be confirmed.