Road work is to be carried out on Junction Road and New Scapa Road in Kirkwall, starting next week, 10 September.

The work will last for up to three weeks with diversions and changes to public bus timetables in place throughout.

The section of road between Hornersquoy (the turnoff from New Scapa Road into the main Balfour Hospital entrance) and the crossroads at Main Street will be closed to traffic between the hours of 07:00 and 18:00. The junction at High Street will also be closed.

The junction of Manse Road onto New Scapa Road will be closed throughout the duration of works but access to residential properties and businesses on Manse Road and the surrounding area will be accessible at all times via Laverock Road and Broadsands Road.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.


Darren Richardson, Head of Infrastructure and Strategic Projects, said: "These are vital works which we started in the spring, around the junction with Pickaquoy Road and the bottom of Clay Loan/Union Street.

"Completing this section in the Hornersquoy area just north of the Hospital will renew a busy section of road which takes a lot of heavy traffic.

"We'll be working on issues such as rippling on the road surface, replacing or resetting manhole covers, and levelling out sections where there has been tracks dug and patched, as well as taking the opportunity to check on some of the drainage in the area.

"The signed diversions are the shortest route safe for all vehicles to use, avoiding any roads with weight limits or narrow points.

"We're hoping to have the crossroads at Wellington Street, New Scapa Road, Main Street and Junction Road open by the end of the first week of the works. Motorists are advised to avoid Main Street in at first week.

"We've been in contact with residents and businesses in the areas affected to advise them of the extent of the works and how they can report any issues. We'll try and keep congestion and disruption to a minimum however if anyone wishes to contact the Council with issues arising from the works, please call the Council's Roads Operations team on 01856872311.

"Working with our transport colleagues here at the Council, we've liaised with Stagecoach to try and ensure local buses can cover as much as their usual routes as possible."

(CM/LM)