Surface dressing starts

Drivers are advised surface dressing works by Orkney Islands Council will start tomorrow, Thursday 17 May.

Roads will be closed in both directions while surface dressing is being carried out, with closures in place from as early as 06:00 and as late as 18:00.

Therefore the public – including secondary school pupils currently travelling into schools for exams - are reminded to check for road closures, diversions and bus service changes that could affect them.

The areas affected over coming days are:

• Thursday 17 May: Old Finstown Road from Market Stance (the stables near the turn off to Sunnybank Road) to the 30mph sign as you come into Kirkwall. Diversion is via Sunnybank Road and Ayre Mills roundabout and through Kirkwall.
• Monday 21 May: Back Road (Dounby) - a short section of residential road from the A986 to Vetquoy Road.
• Tuesday 22 May: A986 between the Dounby 30mph signs. Diversion is via the A966, (Hundland Road), A965 (Stromness-Kirkwall road) and A967 (Stromness-Birsay road).

It’s expected work at each area above will take one day, weather permitting.

School transport buses will be escorted through the work sites.

Public buses will be permitted through work sites during peak hours only (before 09.30am and after 16:00pm).

Check the Council website www.orkney.gov.uk for more information on how bus services are affected while work takes place at a particular location.

Roads will be closed to all other traffic, with the exception of emergency vehicles.

The rolling programme of surface dressing work takes place across the Orkney Mainland and in Hoy and Westray during May, June and July.

Regular updates will be provided throughout the programme via the 'What's New' section of the Council website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

For ‘live’ bus timetable information, use the Stagecoach app – or call Stagecoach on tel 01856 870555.

Anyone with issues arising from these road works should contact the Council’s Roads Support Team on 01856 873535.