Roads update for week starting 11 March 2024

A summing up of road works underway or soon to start in the county - for week starting Monday 11 March 2024.

Road closures in central Kirkwall for high level building surveys - Palace Road

Palace will be closed between its junctions with Dundas Crescent and Watergate on Sunday 17 March 2024 between 07:00 and 18:00, to enable high level surveys of the cathedral to be carried out. As the work is weather dependant there is the possibility that the works may be cancelled at short notice. This is part of routine high-level surveys of historic buildings in central Kirkwall, as weather allows, throughout March and April. This will entail closures at times on sections of Broad Street, Broad Street Street car park; the Council Offices Car Park; East Kirk Car Park; Mill Street, Palace Road; School Place; and Watergate. Read the full public notice at https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=8918

A965 Finstown village and A966 near Firth School

Several pieces of work are taking place in the Firth School and Finstown Village area on the A965 (main Kirkwall to Stromness road) and A966 (main Finstown to Evie road). This includes manhole cover repairs by Scottish Water (near opposite garage and near Firth School) and installation of new variable 20mph signage in the vicinity of the school. These works are expected to continue throughout the next week or so. Temporary traffic lights and/or priority signage are in place and drivers should allow extra time for journeys.

A965, B9055 (Brodgar Road) to Stenness Village & Stenness Village to A964

Work to repair areas of carriageway is ongoing, with temporary traffic lights in place 24 hours a day, and delays to all traffic including public buses and school transport. Works are expected to last until the end of March.

A966 near Hammar Road junction

Work to install a safety barrier on top of a retaining wall is planned to start on Monday 18 March 2024 and is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. Traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic lights with delays to traffic including school transport and the Number 6 bus service.

Laing Street, Kirkwall

Work to install new utility services to the Old Library building started on 21 February 2024 and are planned to be completed by 20 March 2024, Laing Street will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the work. Residents should present their recycling / waste bins as normal for collection.

Stromness Slab Repairs

The five week programme of slab repair works in Stromness are ongoing. Week 2 of works from 11 March will see a closure on John Street between Fletts Butchers to No 16 Victoria Street. The work will all be carried out under road closure conditions, with roads being opened to traffic overnight and at the weekends. Pedestrian access should be maintained at all times, essential access for deliveries will be maintained where possible and drivers should speak to site staff to arrange this. Residents should present their recycling / waste bins as normal for collection.

• Week 1 – John Street from North End Road to E Flett Butchers. (Completed 8 March)
• Week 2 – From E Flett Butchers, John Street to No 16 Victoria Street.
• Week 3 – From No 16 Victoria Street to Church Road.
• Week 4 – From Church Road to Hellihole.
• Week 5 – from Hellihole to Ness Road.

A960, St Andrews and Toab

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

Looking ahead:

• Kirkwall Slab Repairs – works are currently planned to start during week commencing Monday 8 April 2024.
• A964 bends at Scapa Distillery and Smoogro Road to Orphir Village (carriageway repairs) – currently planned to start during April 2024.
• A966 Evie, near Evie Telephone Exchange – drainage maintenance.