Finstown an ‘intimidating environment for pedestrians’ as speed limit changes mooted

September 5, 2022 at 11:20 pm

In 2021, a petition highlighting the concerns of Finstown residents was handed to Orkney Islands Council.

There is “conclusive evidence” that many drivers are “ignoring” the 30mph speed limit in and around Finstown, according to a traffic management survey.

As a result of the findings, new and revised speed limits are being recommended for introduction as steps to improve road safety in the village are suggested.

These include:

New 40mph transitional speed limits on A965 East, A965 West, Old Finstown Road and Heddle Road.
Extension of the 40mph transitional speed limit on the A966.
Extension of the existing part-time 20mph limit on the A966 to cover a section of A965 main Kirkwall to Stromness road.

The issue will be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of Orkney Islands Council’s development and infrastructure committee where councillors will be given an opportunity to scrutinise the findings and deliberate on the next route to follow.

The survey states that the traffic speed, combined with the narrow pavements and roads in and around the village, will create “an intimidating environment for pedestrians”.

It is estimated that it will cost £40,000 to introduce the new speed limits and install the necessary signage, with a target date of March 31, 2023, for introduction.

In light of concerns from the Finstown community in 2021, OIC employed Systra UK Ltd to undertake the survey to determine what, if any, solutions could be found to improve current traffic conditions and alleviate road safety concerns.

Traffic count and speeds were recorded over an 81-day period in 2021.

The report which will come before councillors also suggests that further works, in the short, medium and long-term, could take place as resources permit.

These would include:

Within 12 to 18 months — upgrade existing village gateways.
Within two to three years — introduce speed indication devices, upgrade existing and introduce new uncontrolled pedestrian crossings.
Within three to five years — introduce traffic calming measures and widen a section of footway on the east side of A966.

The full report and survey can be read here.