Councillors approve Kirkwall harbour front plans

The members of Orkney Islands Council have today backed proposals for controversial changes to Kirkwall’s Harbour Street.

During a meeting of the full council this morning, members voted in favour of with proposals, with a majority vote of 13.

Seven councillors voted for further public consultation to take place — an amendment put forward by Kirkwall East councillor Steven Heddle. The amendment would have also seen  special meeting take place in August.

The changes to the harbour front, which previously came before the council’s policy and resources committee, will see changes made to the street and pavements and include plans to narrowing the road and remove the central lane, and thereby widening the pavements

In recent weeks the proposals have proved to be divisive, with many members of the public present for this morning’s meeting and extensive debate taking place on social media.