Road works update - 15 March 2022

Orkney Islands Council is advising of road works underway in the county or due to start shortly, and the impacts on public bus services. Remember, Stagecoach buses can be tracked live on the Stagecoach App. 

Ferry Road roundabout, Stromness

Works are underway at the Ferry Road roundabout in Stromness as part of the Council’s current road resurfacing programme.

The works at Ferry Road roundabout are split into two phases - diversion plans are available at www.orkney.gov.uk/roads:

• Phase 1 - NOW COMPLETED -: A short road closure is in place at the North End Road in Stromness between J&S Allan’s furniture store and the Ferry Road roundabout. Anyone heading to or from the Back Road and that end of North End Road will follow a short detour using the small link road below Stromness Swimming Pool. Public buses will follow their normal route. These Phase 1 works started on Monday (14 March) and are expected to take at least three days to complete. 
• Phase 2: Phase 2 of the Ferry Road roundabout works will see the eastern/Cairston Road side of the roundabout closed, with a longer diversion in place. Works will be carried out between 9:30am and 3:15 pm (1:30pm on Fridays) to avoid school traffic as far as possible. During these times a signed 3.75 mile diversion will be in place via Deepdale (Cairston Road, Howe Road, the main A965 round Deepdale, and North End Road north of the roundabout). Drivers will need to allow extra time for their journey. X1 and Service 5 Houton will continue to serve Hamnavoe following the diversion, therefore delays are to be expected. Phase 2 of the works are expected to take around four days to complete, weather dependent.

Grainshore Road – week starting 21 March

Grainshore Road will be closed between the Ayre Mills roundabout and Seafire Road to enable the works to be carried out safely and efficiently. A signed diversion via Hatston Brae and Crowness Crescent will be in place. No public buses are affected with the exception of the X10 late evening Hatston Ferry Link service which will follow the diversion. The works are expected to take around two weeks to complete.

Tree maintenance works in Kirkwall – week starting 21 March

The will be some brief road closures in Kirkwall next week while routine tree maintenance (pruning and removal of dead wood) is carried out by a contractor:

• Monday 21 March (all day) – Willow Road will be closed from Willowburn Road to Mill Street (near the Garden Centre access). Diversion will be via King Street, Queen Street and Willowburn Road.
• Tuesday morning (22 March): School Place will be closed from Palace Road to the access into the King Street car park (near former King Street Dentist). Signed diversion via East Road, Meadows and Berstane Road will be in place. Works may also at times impact on the main pedestrian access to the Council’s Customer Services in School Place – diversion signs will be in place as needed.
• Tuesday afternoon (22 March): Union Street (bottom of Clay Loan) will be closed between the end of Victoria Street and Junction Road. This will affect public bus services No 4 Airport Service and No 9 Kirkwall Town Service - these services will follow the signed diversion.
• Albert Street – Albert Street will close to vehicles some evenings next week (week starting 21 March) after 5pm to enable seasonal routine maintenance work on the Big Tree.

Ongoing roadworks (previously advised) include:

• Phase 1 of the resurfacing works in Finstown on the A965 (main Kirkwall to Stromness Road) are continuing, with the road closed between the access to The Boathouse and its junction with the Old Finstown Road. A signed diversion route is in place via Zions Loan and Old Finstown Road. Public bus services X1, 6 and 8 will follow the diversion and be subject to slight delays as a result. Once Phase 1 is complete, work would then move onto Phase two of the works in Finstown. This will be carried out under temporary traffic lights, but will also involve the closure of the Old Finstown Road from its junction with the main A965 to its junction with the Acre Lea Road (access to Firth Community Centre). Again, there will be a signed diversion route in place but this time via Zions Loan and the A965.
• Harray - Reconstruction and resurfacing works are being ongoing on the main A986 between Grimeston Road to Refuge Corner. Works are being carried out traffic lights, but there may be short durations when the road will be closed to carry out works safely. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journey.
• Norseman- Road works at A966 (Finstown to Tingwall/Evie road) at its junction with the Gorseness Road just outside Norseman Village are ongoing - work is being carried out using temporary traffic light. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journey.
• Footpath works in Kirkwall - A reminder that work to improve drop kerbs and crossings are taking place at 25 locations across Kirkwall over March and April. (More information here https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=5148 )
• Gateway works at five villages - new speed signs and road markings are being installed in Dounby, Burray, Toab, St Mary’s and Deerness over March. (More information here https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=5148 )