Roads update for week starting 14 July 2025

You can zoom in for a detailed view of roadworks carried out by the Council at www.orkney.gov.uk/roads 

Road works and closures by other bodies are published on the Scottish Road Works Commissioner website https://roadworks.scot/ 

Anticipated closures related to cruise line visits for the 2025 season can be viewed here – please note these closures may be cancelled or amended at short notice due to changes in confirmed passengers numbers or bad weather cancellations by liners.  The Orkney Islands Council (Cruise Liners) (Temporary Closure) Order 2025  

Cruise related road closures

 Anticipated cruise-related closures for the period 14 July – 21 July 2025 inclusive are below: 

There are no cruise related road closures.

Community events road closures

Orkney 2025 International Island Games 

There will be road closures between 12 and 18 July (inclusive) in association with Orkney 2025 International Island Games events - please check the Orkney 2025 website www.orkney2025.com

Please also note closures of some Council car parks during Orkney 2025 as part of event management - further details on the Council website here.  

There are also changes to our public bus timetables - check our summary here and refer also to the Orkney 2025 website www.orkney2025.com for details of Games-related special services arranged by the Orkney 2025 organisers.

Saturday 19 July – Kirkwall City Pipe Band parade

Roads in central Kirkwall will close between 6:30pm and 8:30 pm for a pipe band parade. Roads affected are (1) Albert Street, between its junctions with Laing Street and Broad Street; (2) Broad Street, between its junction with Albert Street and Palace Road; and (3) Castle Street, from Broad Street to car park exit on Castle Street.

Road, building and utility works

Starting this week:

A961, Burray 

From 14 July, OIC will be carrying out carriageway surfacing and reconstruction works in Burray on the main A961, from Echna Loch to Northfield Road junction. Works will take place in sections and are expected to take around 12 weeks to complete with temporary traffic lights and speed restrictions in place. To enable the first two phase of the works the Viewfield Road will be closed at its junction with the A961 - diversion signage will be in place for affected traffic and Fossil Centre access. All traffic including the X1 public bus service will be subject to minor delays - please allow extra time for journeys.  

Ongoing closures and delays:    

Line marking/sweeping 

Crews are out and about sweeping and line marking in various locations following the recent surface dressing works – please watch out for them and heed any speed limits which are there for everyone’s safety and to help the newly laid chips bed in nicely. 

Outertown Road, Stromness 

SSEN have now a temporary bridge on Outertown Road which is now in use and is likely to remain in place until September 2025.

Looking further ahead:

A965 Quanterness to Rennibister 

OIC is currently planning to carry out some edge of carriageway reconstruction works, with the works planned to start mid-August from Quanterness Farm to Rennibister Farm. Works will take place in sections and are expected to take around 12 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 minor delays please allow extra time for journeys.

Pickaquoy Road, Kirkwall

Works are planned for mid to late September to repair a manhole cover on Pickaquoy Road, to enable the work to be carried out in safety the east bound side of Pickaquoy Road will be closed for around three days between Great Western Road and Junction Road, (ie between McEwen’s Roundabout and Great Western Road junction). A diversion route will be in place for affected traffic.

Quoydandy Branch Road Junction (A960)

Week commencing 6 October 2025, OIC will be carrying out surfacing works on the A960 at the Quoydansy Road Junction. Works are expected to take around one week to complete. These works will be done under road closure conditions and two-way traffic lights, with  minor delays on No 4 Airport and school transport. More information to follow nearer the time of works.

Glaitness Road, Kirkwall

Week Commencing 13 October 2025, OIC will be carrying out resurfacing works on Glaitness Road from Stromberry to the new Kirkwall care home and are expected to take around one week to complete. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions. Public buses will still be accommodated during the works.

West Castle Street, Kirkwall

Week commencing 20 October 2025 OIC will be carrying out structural maintenance works on West Castle Street. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions and are expected to take around two weeks to complete. All services buses will exit the Kirkwall Travel Centre onto Great Western Road during works.