Roads update for week starting Monday 24 March 

A summing up of road delays and closures due to road works, cruise visits and events - for the week starting Monday 24 March 2025. 

Starting in the coming week: 

B9052, Graemeshall, Holm 

From Monday 24 March 2025 OIC will be carrying out surfacing works on the B9052 at Graemeshall, with a full road closure in place and diversions for motorists via Moss Road. Access will be maintained for School Buses.  

Update as at 26 March - we currently have emergency SSEN works at Union Street/bottom of Clay Loan in Kirkwall, which is causing some delays particularly on Junction Road. SSEN has three-way traffic lights in place - they're expecting to be finished up by end of play tomorrow, Thursday 27 March. Motorists are advised to bypass/avoid the area if possible meantime.

Ongoing closures and delays: 

Outertown Road, Stromness 

OIC is undertaking essential ditch/drainage and carriageway maintenance on Outertown Road, Stromness. Work started on 17 March and is expected to be ongoing for around three to four weeks and will cause delays to all traffic. There will be a period of closure required for some of the work/carriageway repairs. A further update will follow once closure dates are confirmed.  

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. 

Looking further ahead: 

St Catherines Place, Kirkwall

OIC will be carrying out surfacing works on St Catherines Place, Kirkwall, from Tuesday 1 April 2025 with the work expected to take around two weeks to complete. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions. There is no impact on public buses. 

Kirkwall Slab Repairs

Slab repair works are currently planned to start in central Kirkwall from Monday 7 April 2025, for around three weeks. Road closures will be required on Albert Street, Bridge Street, Victoria Street and Main Street at different stages. Further information on the dates of the various road closures will be provided prior to the works commencing. 

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. This will affect cruise liner buses, but public buses won’t be impacted.  

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 one 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 Thursday 24 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. 

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, dates TBC. The works will be mainly carried out under road closure conditions. Further information to follow closer to the beginning of the works.