The Harbour Street paving project, funded by Sustrans, will upgrade the appearance of the area and encourage footfall along Harbour Street and into Bridge Street and the shopping area it leads to.
The three-week project is scheduled to get underway on Monday, 15 January.
As part of the development, motorists are being advised of temporary changes to traffic arrangements in Kirkwall while contractors work on renewing the road surface and paving at the entrance to Bridge Street.
The changes will affect Bridge Street, Laing Street, and parts of Albert Street. While work is being carried out, the entrance into Bridge Street from Harbour Street opposite Kirkwall Pier will be closed to all traffic.
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Apart from access for delivery vehicles, the road will be closed for safety reasons to all other vehicles along the length of Bridge Street and the section of Albert Street from its junction with Laing Street (outside M and Co) to where it meets Bridge Street. The section of Albert Street between Laing Street and Broad Street will remain open to traffic.
In addition, the current one-way on Laing Street will be reversed and drivers will be able to enter Laing Street from the King Street Halls end and turn left into Albert Street and onwards to Broad Street. Pedestrian access will be unaffected and special arrangements are in place for emergency services to gain access to Bridge Street and Albert Street.
Orkney Islands Council's Head of Infrastructure and Strategic Projects, Darren Richardson, said: "We considered a range of options when looking at how and when to carry out the work at the head of Bridge Street.
"This solution means we can maintain daily access for deliveries to the local businesses in the area, while allowing contractors to work uninterrupted at the head of Bridge Street, and get the work completed in the best time possible, at what is one of the least disruptive periods of the year for traders."
(LM/MH)
