Road works update - 25 March

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. Diversion plans are available from our website at www.orkney.gov.uk/roads.

Church Road Stromness

Church Road in Stromness will be closed from Friday 25 March, from the cobbled section down near Victoria street, to Franklin Road, for much needed resurfacing work.
The diversion for motorists will be via Dundas Street, Hellihole Road, Back Road and Springfield Crescent.

There will also be some shorter road closures needed on Franklin Road, Springfield Crescent and Christies Brae from time to time while works take place on those junctions, but these will be minimised as far as possible. Work is expected to be completed by 1 April 2022.

Harray

The A986 road resurfacing works in Harray are ongoing, between Grimeston Road to Refuge Corner, with one lane open and controlled by temporary traffic lights. There may be short durations when the road will be closed to carry out works safely. Drivers should allow for delays.

Finstown

Road resurfacing works on the A965 main Kirkwall to Stromness road at Finstown are progressing, with the road closed between the access to The Boathouse and its junction with the Old Finstown Road. It's expected Phase 1 of the works will be completed by Friday 1 April 2022 - the diversion for motorists and public bus services is 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.

Works in Phase 1 have taken longer than originally programmed due to the need for some deep repairs beneath the road’s surface – however, once this is done, Phase 2 should follow as planned. Meantime we do thank motorists for their patience while we take the time to carry out the necessary repairs on this important part of our road network, to ensure a good result over the longer term.

Phase 2 works 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 (main Kirkwall to Stromness Road) 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.

Grainshore Road

Resurfacing works on Grainshore Road in Hatston, Kirkwall are ongoing. The road is 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 is 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 be complete by 1 April 2022.

Reminder

There's ongoing smaller works over coming weeks:

• 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 )
• Flagstone repairs in Stromness are also ongoing (More information here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=5593 )

Upcoming works.

• Sunnybank Road, St Ola - these resurfacing works are currently planned to start on Monday 11 April 2022 and will be carried out in two phases, both involving road closures. Phase 1 will see Sunnybank Road closed from the A965 (main Kirkwall to Stromness Road) to the access to old reservoir. The Phase 2 closure will be from Old Finstown Road to the property of Wesgar. Further updates will be provided closer to the time. Public bus services No 9 Kirkwall Town Service and No 7 Birsay – will not operate via Sunnybank. No 9 will operate via Pickaquoy Road, Junction Road, Wellington Street re-joining the route at Ola Scapa Road out to Scapa. No 8 will continue to operate along Old Finstown Road, in and out of Kirkwall Travel Centre via Glaitness Road.
• Clay Loan (King Hakkon Street to Bignold Park Road), Bignold Park Road (Park Loan to Dundas Crescent) and Dundas Crescent (Buttquoy Crescent to Clay Loan) all closed on Monday 11 April 2022 to enable patching and kerbing work to be carried out - at the moment this is planned for one day. Further updates will be provided closer to the time. Public buses affected (No 9 Kirkwall Town Service and No 4 Kirkwall Airport) will follow the diversions to rejoin routes - passengers should expect some delays.
• Bignold Park Road (The Meadows to Clay Loan) will be closed from Tuesday 12 April 2022 for three days to enable resurfacing / patching to be carried out. Further updates will be provided closer to the time. Public buses affected (No 9 Kirkwall Town Service) will follow the diversions to rejoin routes - passengers should expect some delays.
• The Meadows (Thoms Street to access to KGS) road closed from Monday 18 April to Friday 29 April to enable a raised table to be constructed at the access to the bus waiting area at KGS. Further updates will be provided closer to the time. Public buses affected (No 9 Kirkwall Town Service) will follow the diversions to rejoin routes - passengers should expect some delays.

As usual we would like to thank the public for their understanding as the various areas of works progress and to apologise for any inconvenience caused.