Harray road closure reminder

OIC is reminding motorists the A986 ‘Harray Road’ will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week (17, 18, 19 July) to enable repairs to a damaged culvert.

The closure will be between Grimeston Road and Refuge Corner and will affect all traffic including public buses. Signed diversions will be via the A967 (main Birsay/Sandwick to Stromness road) and to/from Dounby via the Vetquoy Road. Public bus Service 7 (Birsay via Dounby) will follow the signed diversions and passengers should expect longer journey times as a result. Please note the public bus will not be able to serve the five mile stretch on the A986 between the Harray Junction and Dounby.

Lorna Richardson is Head of Neighbourhood Services for the Council: “Folks will remember these repairs have been in our sights for a while now. We’ve not been able to proceed until now as the surrounding area has been too waterlogged and we needed to carry out some preparatory work there first. We are pleased to finally be getting underway on these important works which should significantly improve drainage and road surface flooding issues we’ve seen in the past in the area.

“It’s expected we’ll reopen one lane late on Wednesday afternoon, if the works go to plan, but there will likely be workers in the area completing works in the verge over following days, so we’d ask drivers to please heed any traffic control and speed limits to keep everyone safe.”