Council highlights disruptions are likely as Amber alert issued for Orkney

With an Amber weather warning issued by the MET Office for Orkney for very high winds tomorrow (Friday 24 January) and into Saturday, the Council is expecting significant disruption across our services.

The Orkney Local Emergency Coordination Group is meeting at 3pm today, Thursday 24 January, to coordinate preparations for the storm.

Householders, businesses, and clubs are urged to ensure their outdoor areas are free of anything which could become a flying hazard.

Anyone with travel plans should bear in mind and monitor the alerts in place across much of the UK, including the Red alert issued for central Scotland.

Disruptions to Council services - update as at 1pm on 23 January 2025:

Bin collections 

There’s potential for widespread disruption to kerbside collections on Friday 24 January due to the expected wind speeds forecast. This affects Area 5 (Recycling -metals and paper/thin card) and Areas 13 and 15 (both waste)

Anyone considering putting out their bins for collection tomorrow should take into account how exposed their collection point is and their ability to bring bins/bags in if conditions deteriorate – particularly paper/thin card as this is prone to creating a mess if bins are blown over etc. For further general advice for windy bin days  head to www.orkney.gov.uk/binclips.

Look up your Area at www.orkney.gov.uk/mybins.

Household Waste and Recycling Centres 

 It may be necessary to close our HWRC sites for periods of time on Friday and Saturday should it become dangerous or unmanageable in terms of wind blown waste at the sites from the skips or folks’ cars.

Orkney Ferries 

There is expected to be a high level of disruption to Orkney Ferries sailings with many Friday sailings cancelled and other sailings under review. The team at Orkney Ferries will continue to issue updates on cancelled and amended sailings via their website www.orkneyferries.co.uk  and social media. 

Public buses 

Public bus services will remain under review during the Yellow weather warning period tomorrow morning Friday 24 January may be subject to cancellation at short notice.  When this moves to an Amber weather warning later in the day all services will be suspended in the interests of safety. 

School transport 

Due to the Yellow Warning for wind tomorrow morning and the Amber Warning for wind for tomorrow afternoon there will be no school transport operating on Friday 24 January (ie both morning and afternoon runs have been cancelled, including for pupils who travel daily to/from school daily by ferry). 

School closures 

North Walls Primary School – due to sailing conditions and staffing the school will be closed on Friday 24 January 2025. The Nursery however will be open.

Papdale Halls of Residence – all pupils who reside at the Hall are being sent home on the last appropriate sailing this afternoon (Thursday 23 January).