Orkney Islands Council has reminded residents of its ongoing road works which result in closures and delays.

There is potential for multiple short duration road closures at the Holm Road (A961), Kirkwall, until early November while works are carried out on Highland Park Distillery.

Closures will be up to a maximum duration of 20 minutes and carried out around ferry traffic, commuter traffic and bus services.

Meanwhile, road reconstruction works along the A966, Skiddy Road to Gorseness Road, Rendall, are still in effect and currently expected to be completed during the week commencing Monday, December 16. Traffic lights and temporary 30mph speed limits are in place.

At the Old Finstown Road to Glaitness Road in Kirkwall, streetlighting works between Liberator Drive and Soulisquoy Loan are continuing.


These are expected to take around 12 weeks to complete and there will be temporary traffic signals in use for the duration of the works. There will be short delays for all traffic including the No. 9 (Town) and No. 7 (Birsay/Dounby) public bus services.

Short delays on footways through this site of up to 15 minutes are in place as part of traffic management and operatives will be on hand to escort pedestrians through the site as needed.

It is advised that pedestrians use the Liberator to Muddisdale Road route, where possible, in order to avoid delays. Segregated pedestrian walkways will be reinstated outside of working hours.

Finally, the Junction Road in Kirkwall will be closed outside the Albert Hotel (between its junctions with the Albert Street car park and Burnmouth Road), as needed for approximately five months, as building works, which commenced in September, are carried out on the Albert Hotel.

A signed diversion for motorists and buses will be in place via Ayre Road, Borough Road (past the Police Station) and Great Western Road.

Drivers are advised to keep to the diversions as much as possible and avoid using West Castle Street due to bus traffic.

Folks wishing to use the Albert Street car park will need to approach via the Kiln Corner roundabout.