Roads update for week starting 26/01/2026

A summary of road delays and closures due to road and building/utility works and events for the week starting Monday 26/01/2026.

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.

Road, building and utility works

Ongoing closures and delays:

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 have an effect on all traffic including the X1 Stromness, St Margaret's Hope and No 6 Tingwall Ferry bus services.

A965, Stenness - Works to repair damage to the Housequoy Bridge, Stenness started on 15/01/2026 and are expected to take around two weeks to complete. The works will be carried out under temporary traffic signals which will cause delays to all traffic including the X1 bus service.

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 early March 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.

Back Road, Cairston Road & Howe Road, Stromness - Openreach will be carrying out some cable laying works from Monday 19/01/2026, which is currently planned to take until the end of the month to complete which will cause some delays to traffic and the X1 Stromness to St Margaret's Hope bus service.

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.

20 MPH Speed Limit Signs - Works to install new 20 MPH signage is underway in various locations within Orkney and is expected to be complete by the end of February 2026, the works are likely to cause some delays to all traffic.

Coming soon:

A966 between Skiddy Road & Tingwall Junction - We are currently planning to carry out road reconstruction works from 02/02/2026, with the work expected to take around two months to complete. The work will be carried out under temporary traffic signals, therefore there will be delays to all traffic in the area including the No 6 Tingwall Ferry bus service whilst the works are being carried out.

Watson Close, Kirkwall - Heddle Construction Ltd, on behalf of SSEN, will be replacing an electricity sub-station from Monday 02/02/2026 to Friday 13/03/2026. Watson Close will be closed when required during this period. Traffic signs will be erected to indicate when the road is closed.

A965 Firth, Stenness & Stromness - Openreach are planning to carry out cable laying works on the A965 after the works to repair Housequoy Bridge, Stenness have been completed. The work will cause delays to all traffic using the route including the X1 Stromness to St Margaret's Hope bus service.