Roads update for week starting 17 March 2025

A summing up of road delays and closures due to road works underway or soon to start in the county - for the week starting Monday 17 March 2025.

Starting in the coming week:

Churchill Barrier Causeway No 3

OIC will be carrying out essential barrier repairs at No 3 Churchill Barrier, starting 17 March 2025. The works will be carried out under two-way traffic lights and are expected to take around two weeks to complete. This will cause some delays to the X1 bus service (St Margarets Hope – Kirkwall - Stromness).

Outertown Road, Stromness

OIC will be undertaking essential ditch/drainage and carriageway maintenance on Outertown Road, Stromness from 17 March for around three to four weeks. The drainage works are scheduled to commence Monday 17  March 2025. A further update to follow once dates are confirmed for full road closure to carry out carriageway repairs.

Ongoing road works closures and delays:

King Street, Kirkwall

Reconstruction works started on Monday 17 February 2025 and are expected to take around 5 weeks to complete. The road will be closed between School Place and Mill Street for the duration of the works. There will be limited access to the King Street car park at the Council offices (next door to the former King Street dental clinic) and the car park at No 9 King Street, with the car parks also having to be closed during some phases of the work.

Junction Road, Kirkwall

Junction Road is closed outside the Albert Hotel (between its junctions with the Albert Street car park and Burnmouth Road), as needed from Monday 16 September 2024, for approximately six months as building works are carried out on the Albert Hotel. A signed diversion for motorists and buses will be in place via Ayre Road, Borough Road (past the Police Station) and Great Western Road. Drivers are advised to keep to the diversions as much as possible and avoid using West Castle Street due to bus traffic. Folks wishing to use the Albert Street car park will need to approach via the Kiln Corner roundabout.

Pickaquoy Road, Kirkwall

SSEN has started carrying out cable investigation works on Pickaquoy Road between Great Western Road and Junction Road and are expected to take a couple of weeks to complete, with the works being carried out under temporary traffic signals. The works affect all bus services that use Junction Road. 

Looking further ahead:

B9052, Graemeshall, Holm -  From Monday 24 March 2025 OIC will be carrying out surfacing works on the B9052 at Graemeshall and are expected to take around a week to complete. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions with diversions via Moss Road. Access will be maintained for School Buses.

Junction Rd/New Scapa Rd - Scottish Water are planning to carry out works to repair manholes covers on Various areas along Junction Road/ New Scapa Rd in early April 2025. The works will be mainly carried out under road closure conditions, further information to follow closer to the beginning of the works.

St Catherines Place, Kirkwall - From Tuesday 1 April 2025 OIC will be carrying out surfacing works on St Catherines Place, Kirkwall. Works will be carried out under road closure and are expected to take around one week to complete.

Gorseness Road, Rendall – From Monday 7 April 2025 OIC will be carrying out essential drainage works at Gorseness Road, Rendall. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions and will take place during the school holidays.

Haybrake Road, South Ronaldsay – From Monday 7 April 2025 OIC will be carrying out culvert repairs on the Haybrake Road, South Ronaldsay. Works are expected to take around a week to complete and will be carried out under road closure conditions.

Grainshore Road, Kirkwall – From Monday 14 April 2025 OIC will be carrying out surfacing/haunch works on Grainshore Road, Kirkwall. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions and are expected to take around a week to complete. More information to follow regarding impacts on bus services.

Work Road, Kirkwall – From 28 April, OIC will be carrying out surfacing works on Work Road, between Weyland farm and Craigiefield Junction, Kirkwall for approximately 1 week. Works will be under road closure conditions and will affect the No 9 Kirkwall Town bus service. More information to follow.

Pipersquoy Road, Kirkwall   - From Monday 28 April 2025, SSEN will carrying out maintenance to their substation on Pipersquoy Road, Kirkwall. Works will be completed under road closure conditions and are expected to take day just one day to complete - however the work is weather dependent so the road closure date may change. The works will have an effect on the Number 9 bus service (Kirkwall Town service). Further information to follow closer to the beginning of the works.

Cromwell Road, Kirkwall – From Monday 5 May 2025 OIC will be carrying out surfacing /haunch works on Cromwell Road, Kirkwall between the Coastguard station and Islands View Road junction. Works are expected to take around two weeks to complete and will be under road closure conditions. The works will have an effect on the Number 9 bus service (Kirkwall Town service). Further information to follow closer to the beginning of the works.