New signs will warn when barriers are closed

Five new road signs will advise when bad weather results in the closure of the Churchill Barriers.

Two have been set up close to Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope to give drivers advance warning of barrier closures.

The Kirkwall sign can be seen shortly after the Highland Park Distillery on the road leading to Holm. The ‘Hope sign is on the outskirts of the village.

Two more are in Holm close to the First Barrier – one on the road leading from St Mary’s, the other on the Graemeshall Road.

The fifth is in Burray, on the road heading north to the Third Barrier.

The signs carry no message at times when the Barriers are open. When needed, a hinged flap is lifted into place revealing the message: Barriers Closed.

Darren Richardson, Orkney Islands Council’s head of roads and environmental services, said: “It’s important that we try to give people as much warning as possible when the barriers are closed by bad weather. We’ve put the new signs in place ahead of the coming winter as a way help with this.

“We’ve done this in response to requests from residents and feedback the South Ronaldsay and Burray Community Council, and local elected members for the area.”