Roads update for week starting 21 July 2025
Date: 18 July 2025
Time: 05:00
A summing up of road delays and closures due to road and building/utility works, cruise visits and events - for the week starting Monday 21 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 road closures in central Kirkwall for the period 21 July – 29 July 2025 inclusive are below:
- Sunday 27 July: Bridge Street and Albert Street, Kirkwall, between the hours of 10am and 4pm
Community Events closures
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.
Stromness Shopping Week
Several roads will close in central Stromness between Tuesday 22 July 2025 and Sunday 27 July 2025 inclusive, for the annual Stromness Shopping Week celebrations as well as a temporary easterly one-way system from Victoria Street to Ferry Road. For full details, check the public notice at https://www.orkney.gov.uk/latest-news/temporary-closure-of-roads-in-stromness-for-stromness-shopping-week-events-2025/
Road closures due to works:
Ongoing:
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.
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. Further detail of the roads affected are available here https://www.orkney.gov.uk/latest-news/drive-with-care-as-2025-road-works-season-ramps-up/
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 will carry out carriageway reconstruction works on the main A965 Kirwall to Stromness road from mid-August, between Quanterness Farm and 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 - Works are planned from 24 September to repair a manhole cover on Pickaquoy Road. The east bound side of Pickaquoy Road will be closed for around three days between Great Western Road and Junction Road (ie between the Junction Road / Pickaquoy Road roundabout at McEwens 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 Quoydandy 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. Works will be carried out under road closure conditions and are expected to take around one week to complete. 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.
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Category:
- Roads, Lighting and Parking
- Transport
