Ferry Road’s ‘Safer Route to School Project’ moves to Collaborative Design Phase

Following a successful feasibility study completed earlier in 2025, the 'Safer Route to School' project for Ferry Road in Stromness is now entering its collaborative design phase. The project is jointly led by Orkney Islands Council and Sustrans and funded by the Scottish Government. 

This new design phase involves working closely with the local community to gather knowledge, hear ideas and understand what matters most to people who live, work and travel in the Stromness area. 

Views will be gathered through a resident survey and a series of engagement events. These events will bring together the local community, design specialists and engagement experts to brainstorm and develop solutions.  

This collaborative approach means local voices will be at the heart of shaping improvements that truly meet the needs of the community. 

The previous feasibility phase of the project found that Ferry Road and the waterfront area have strong potential to support the community’s ambitions and improve safety, comfort and access for people walking, wheeling and cycling, while still allowing for vehicle movement and parking.  

Alongside engaging with the public, the Community Advisory Group established during the feasibility phase will continue to play a key role in ensuring improvements to Ferry Road align with Stromness’ Local Place Plan, the Stromness Primary School Travel Plan, and the community's aspirations. 

The resident survey is now live on the project website, where details of engagement events will also be announced: https://stromnessasaferroutetoschool.commonplace.is/.  

Members of the community can sign up on the website to receive email updates. 

Orkney Islands Council’s Convener, Councillor Graham Bevan, represents the Stromness and South Isles ward.  He said: “It is really encouraging to see this important project in Stromness entering the design stage, with improvements to the Ferry Road being a long-held aspiration for our community. 

“It’s important that our community’s voice – their views, their wants and their needs – shape this part of the process and therefore I’d encourage folk to take part in the survey and the upcoming engagement events.” 

Beth Woodall, Senior Project Manager for Co-Design at Sustrans, said: "We're excited to enter this collaborative design phase with the Stromness community. Having completed our feasibility work, we can now focus on co-creating solutions that reflect what local people want and need for their everyday journeys. 

"Our design and engagement process continues to put people at the heart of decisions about their local spaces. Through the resident survey and our public design events, we'll be working hand-in-hand with the community to develop designs that create fairer, healthier and safer choices for all road users, especially our young people travelling to school." 

About Sustrans:  

We work for and with communities, helping them come to life by walking, wheeling and cycling to create healthier places and happier lives for everyone.    

Across the UK we involve communities in shaping our towns and cities. Together we campaign for and create spaces where everyone can move around safely and give people the tools and confidence to get out of their cars.    

We inspire people to change the way we all travel every day, forging closer connections with our neighbours and reducing traffic to create a better environment and more sustainable society for everyone.    

Join us on our journey. www.sustrans.org.uk    

Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (number 326550) and Scotland (SC039263).  

For more information please contact:  

Email: Stromness@sustrans.org.uk  

Tel: 0131 346 1384 and ask for a callback from the A Safer Route to School (Stromness) team