Road works scheduled for central Kirkwall

January 13, 2022 at 4:10 pm

Road works could cause some disruption to traffic in central Kirkwall for a number of weeks.

Potential delays and diversions are set to affect motorists over the coming weeks throughout the centre of Kirkwall.

This is due to engineering works, including drainage investigation, by contractors on behalf of Orkney Islands Council (OIC).

The works, which span various locations across the town centre, are due to start on Monday, January 17. They will in result in the following changes:

Road closures and traffic management such as temporary lights will be in place to ensure works can be carried out safely.
Parking in West Castle Street will be suspended until further notice.
All bus services which service the Balfour Hospital will continue to do so throughout any closures or diversions.

All works are subject to weather and contractor availability.

Roads affected over coming weeks include:

Castle Street
West Castle Street
Crafty Car Park (Scout Hall car park)
Great Western Road
Junction Road
Main Street
Pickaquoy Road
Tankerness Lane
West Tankerness Lane
Union Street

Work will begin on Monday at the junction of Castle Street, West Castle Street and Junction Road. According to OIC, the road will remain open to traffic as far as possible, although some delays should be expected.

Bus services affected by any closures of Junction Road between Castle Street and the roundabout with Pickaquoy Road will be diverted via Great Western Road and Pickaquoy Road, with the Tesco bus stop still being served.

Updates will be provided via the council’s Facebook page and website.

In addition to the work in central Kirkwall,the B9053 (Old Scapa Road) will be closed from Monday, January 17 between its junction with the A964 (Kirkwall to Orphir Road) and the nearby property of Heimdal. This is a complete closure of this section, meaning the Number 9 Kirkwall Town Service bus will not travel along the Scapa shore front. Instead, after Sunnybank area it will detour via Foreland Road and take New Scapa Rd, turning around at the Harbours building and then retracing to rejoin its usual route at the new Balfour hospital roundabout. This work is expected to take one week.