Roads update for week starting 15/12/25

A summary of road delays and closures due to road and building/utility works and events for the week starting Monday 15/12/2025.

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.

Community events

Stromness Yule Log Pull - Roads in Stromness will close on Wednesday 31/12/2025 between 12:30 and 17:30 for a Yule Log Pull event. The following roads will be affected when required: Church Road, Dundas Street, Ferry Road (from Stromness Ferry Terminal car park exit to Victoria Street), Graham Place, John Street, Victoria Street. Traffic signs will be erected to indicate when a road is closed.

Road, building and utility works

Ongoing closures and delays:

A965, Stromness - We have started carrying out essential repairs to the bridge parapet walls at Brig O'Waithe 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 bus services X1 and 8S Skara Brae.

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 public 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.

Coming soon:

A965, Finstown and Stenness - Major works starting 05/01/2026

Please be aware that two major sets of roadworks will be running simultaneously on the A965 from the first week of January 2026, which will cause significant disruption.

A965, Finstown - We are starting 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.

A965, Stenness - Works to repair damage to the Housequoy Bridge, Stenness will 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.

All traffic, including public bus services (X1, 6 Tingwall, 7 Birsay-Dounby, 8S Skara Brae, X10 Hatston Ferry Link) will be subject to significant delays. Please allow extra time for all journeys, particularly during the first two weeks of January when both sets of works will be operational.