Orkney Islands Council is advising motorists of temporary changes to traffic arrangements in Kirkwall later this month 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.
The work is part of the Harbour Street paving project, funded by Sustrans, to improve the appearance of the area and encourage footfall along Harbour Street and into Bridge Street and the shopping area it leads to.
Work is due to start on Monday 15 January and is expected to take around three weeks to complete.
The entrance into Bridge Street from Harbour Street opposite Kirkwall Pier will be closed to all traffic while the work is underway.
Apart from access for delivery vehicles to allow essential deliveries, for safety reasons the road will be closed to all other vehicles along:
- The length of Bridge Street.
- 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.
The current one-way on Laing Street will be reversed. 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. Special arrangements are in place with local emergency services to provide access to Bridge Street and Albert Street at all times.
OIC 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.
“While the work is underway, the one-way system in Laing Street will be reversed. In Bridge Street and the adjoining section of Albert Street delivery vehicles will be travelling in both directions at times.
“This will be quite different to what folk are accustomed to and we will be reminding everyone closer to the time to take extra care while these temporary alterations are in place.
“We’d thank everyone in advance for their patience and co-operation when we get started on the work.”
