Albert and Bridge Street car-free proposals published for final comment 

Proposals to make Albert and Bridge Street vehicle free between 11am and 3pm daily and also late at night are being published for final scrutiny and comment by the public. 

Details of the proposals, which will also have a knock on effect on vehicular access to Laing Street, will be available on the Orkney Islands Council website at www.orkney.gov.uk/haveyoursay from 17 July for a three week period. 

A paper copy will also be available to view in the Council Offices in School Place, Kirkwall. 

Councillors gave the green light to proceed with statutory consultation with key stakeholders such as emergency and transport services on the proposals in February.

Officers also undertook additional engagement with Blue Badge holders. 

The statutory consultation has since been undertaken, with this period of public consultation the final stage. 

The results of the consultations are due to be reported to the Council’s Development and Infrastructure committee in September, where Councillors will consider whether or not to proceed with proposals. 

Objections to the proposals, specifying the grounds on which they are made, should be submitted in writing to the Director of Infrastructure and Organisational Development, Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY or by email to nsi@orkney.gov.uk before 5pm on Friday 8 August 2025. 

Councillor Kristopher Leask is Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee:

“Officers have been gathering the wide range of views on these proposals which are ultimately aimed at making the street a safer and more enjoyable place for all pedestrians during the busy lunchtime period and also late at night as licensed premises close up.

“There are many considerations to balance including ensuring blue badge holders do still have a time period each day they can access the street, and ultimately it will be for Councillors to decide if the proposals strike that balance.”

Documents will be available from this link from 17 July 2025 throughout the consultation period.