Roads update for week starting 09/03/2026

A summary of road delays and closures due to road and building/utility works and events for the week starting Monday 09/03/2026.

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.

Ongoing works

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. This will cause delays on the No.2 Houton Bus.

A965, Finstown - Works are underway on the A965 between Atlantis Lodges and the Old Finstown Road junction and are expected to be completed by the end of April 2026. Works will take place in sections with temporary traffic lights and speed restrictions in place. This will affect all traffic including public bus services.

Germiston Road, Orphir - SSEN will be carrying out works starting Monday 09/03/2026 to install cable ducting across the access track between Heddle Road and the Farm of Scuan. Works are expected to take around one week to complete and will be carried out under road closure conditions. Full access will be available only via the Orphir end of Germiston Road or over Heddle Hill via Heddle Road.

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 safely. There is still the potential for delays to all traffic using Junction Road as the works 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, however access will be subject to delays.

A965 Firth, Stenness & Stromness - Openreach are planning to carry out cable laying works on the A965 at Stenness. The work will cause delays to all traffic using the route including public bus services.

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.

A966 between Skiddy Road and Tingwall Junction - Road reconstruction works are underway and are expected to take around two months to complete. Works will be carried out under temporary traffic signals and there will be delays to all traffic in the area including the No.6 Tingwall Ferry bus service.

Coming soon

Yinstay Road, St Andrews - We will be carrying out surfacing works on the Yinstay Road week commencing Monday 16/03/2026, expected to take around one week to complete. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions; essential access and school transport will be maintained.

Germiston Road, Orphir - We are planning to carry out surfacing works beginning the last week of March on the Germiston Road between the A964 junction and Newhouse. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions; access will be maintained for residents and school transport where possible.

A960 between Groatsetter Road and Churchyard Road, Tankerness - We are planning to carry out road reconstruction works from Wednesday 01/04/2026, with the work expected to take around two weeks to complete. Works will be carried out under temporary traffic signals and there will be delays to all traffic in the area including bus services.

Church Road, St Margaret's Hope - We are planning to carry out resurfacing works expected to start the third week of April 2026, with the work expected to take around two weeks to complete. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions and will affect the X1 service. During road closure periods the bus will travel in and out of St Margaret's Hope via St Margaret's Road.

B9042 near the Oback Road Junction, South Ronaldsay - We will be carrying out a small surface patch following completion of works on the A960, expected to take approximately two days to complete. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions; essential access will be maintained where possible.

Castle Street, Kirkwall - We are planning to carry out surfacing works from Tuesday 05/05/2026, with the work expected to take around two weeks to complete. Works will be carried out under full road closure conditions and will affect public bus services No.4 Kirkwall Airport and No.9 Kirkwall Town Service, and taxis using Castle Street. Further information to follow nearer the time.