Roads update for week starting 01/12/25

A summary of road delays and closures due to road and building/utility works, cruise visits and events for the week starting Monday 01/12/2025.

An interactive map showing roadworks carried out by the Council is available at www.orkney.gov.uk/roads

Road works and closures by other bodies are published on the Scottish Road Works Commissioner website.

Road, building and utility works

Ongoing closures and delays:

A965 between Quanterness and Rennibister - Works are ongoing to carry out road reconstruction works on the main A965 between Quanterness Farm and Rennibister Farm. Works are now on the final phase and should be completed early December. All traffic, including public bus services (X1, 6 Tingwall, 8S Skara Brae) will be subject to delays - please allow extra time for journeys.

A965, Stromness - We will be carrying out essential repairs to the bridge parapet walls at Brig O'Waithe starting week commencing 08/12/2025 and is expected to take around 2 weeks to complete. Works will be carried out under two-way lights and will cause delays to public transport.

A964, Orphir - We are carrying out reconstruction works on the A964 between Germiston Road and Smoogro Road. Works will be carried out under two-way traffic lights and are expected to be completed by the middle of February 2026. This will have delays on the No2 Houton Bus.

Junction Road, Kirkwall - R Clouston Ltd works on Junction Road are ongoing, with some traffic management in place to enable building works to be carried out in safety. There is still the potential for some delays to all traffic using Junction Road as the works on site progress.

South Ronaldsay (various locations) - Openreach works are ongoing to install ducting and fibreoptic cable in various locations around South Ronaldsay. Works will be carried out under two-way lights and road closures. Access to affected properties will be maintained at all times throughout the works, however access will be subject to delays.

Outertown Road, Stromness - Traffic on the Outertown Road will be diverted via a temporary bypass as new cable duct is laid across the road and the road is reinstated.

Stromness Flagstone Repairs - Works are currently planned to carry out flagstone repairs on Victoria Street, Stromness, from Monday 01/12/2025 with the work expected to take around a week to complete. The work will be carried out in two areas as noted below and will be carried out under road closure conditions. Access to businesses will be maintained where possible, however there may be slight delays to make the areas safe for vehicles to park. It is also hoped that the affected areas will be open to traffic out with the normal working day. Residents should put out waste and recycling bins as usual for collection.

• From 27 John Street to No16 Victoria Street
• Victoria Street, from Church Road to Graham Place

Coming soon:

A965, Finstown - We are planning to start drainage and associated road works on the A965 from Atlantis lodges to the Old Finstown road junction in the first week of January 2026 and are expected to be completed by the end of April 2026. Works will take place in sections and are expected to take around 16 weeks to complete with temporary traffic lights and speed restrictions in place. All traffic, including public bus services (X1, 6 Tingwall, 8S Skara Brae) will be subject to delays - please allow extra time for journeys.

A965, Stenness - Works to repair damage to the Housequoy Bridge, Stenness are planned to start during week commencing Monday 05/01/2026 and are expected to take around two weeks to complete. The works will be carried out under temporary traffic signals and will cause delays to all traffic.