Roads surface dressing to begin again midweek

Orkney Islands Council has said its roads surface dressing will get underway again from the middle of this week, after delays caused by wet weather.

Work was due to take place from today, Monday, May 21, but this has been delayed for a few days. Orkney Islands Council has said work is likely to begin either tomorrow, Tuesday, or on Wednesday, May 23, with resurfacing being carried out between the Dounby 30mph signs, moving then on to the Back Road in Dounby between the A986 and Vetquoy Road the following day.

The council is reminding drivers that roads will be closed in both directions while surface dressing is being carried out, with closures in place from as early as 6am and as late as 6pm.

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 recommended diversion for Dounby is via the A966, Hundland Road, the A965 Stromness to Kirkwall road and the A967 Stromness to Birsay road).

The council is expecting work at each area above to 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, which is before 9.30am and after 4:00pm.

Bus users are being asked to check the council website 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. Regular updates will be provided throughout the programme via the ‘What’s New’ section of the council website, on the council’s OIC Updates Facebook page and on the OIC Roads Twitter feed.

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

Anyone with issues caused by the road works is asked to contact the Council’s Roads Support Team on 01856 873535.