Ferry Road design proposals

The 'A Safer Route to School' project is sharing draft concept design proposals for Ferry Road and the Stromness waterfront at public events in February 2026.  

The whole community, along with local businesses, is invited to attend and share feedback with the project team. The project is jointly led by Orkney Islands Council and Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, and is funded by Transport Scotland. 

Last autumn, the Stromness community was invited to share their experiences of Ferry Road and their hopes for how it could be improved. This local insight, alongside technical information, has shaped the development of draft concept designs, including proposals for an attractive seaside promenade.  

The project’s collaborative design approach puts local voices at the heart of the process. The community is now being encouraged once again to share their views by commenting on the draft design proposals. 

Feedback will be gathered through two public engagement events on 3^rd and 5^th February at the Warehouse Buildings, along with stakeholder workshops and an online public survey.  

These events will bring together the local community, design specialists and engagement experts to explore the draft concept designs. The Community Advisory Group, established in November 2024, also continues to meet regularly with the project team. 

Full details of the upcoming engagement events are on the project website: https://stromnessasaferroutetoschool.commonplace.is 

The public survey will be launched on the website shortly after both events have taken place.https://stromnessasaferroutetoschool.commonplace.is/ 

Members of the community can sign up via the website to receive email updates about the project. 

 Orkney Islands Council’s Convener, Councillor Graham Bevan, represents the Stromness and South Isles ward. He said:  

“We’re grateful to everyone in Stromness who contributed their experiences and ideas last year. The community’s insight has been central to shaping these early design proposals, ensuring they reflect the realities of everyday life along Ferry Road.

“As we move into the next stage, it’s just as important that local voices continue to guide the process. I would encourage residents, businesses and community groups to come along to the engagement events, view the draft designs and share their thoughts.

“By taking part, people can help us develop a final concept design that supports safer, more accessible journeys and enhances this important part of the town for generations to come.

“The Safer Route to School project will also play a key role in informing the revised Stromness Place Plan, which is being taken forward with the Stromness community to help set priorities for future developments in the town.” 

Holly Best, Senior Project Manager for Co-Design at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: "We're excited to continue conversations with the Stromness community about their vision for Ferry Road and the waterfront.  

“We heard that everyday walking, wheeling and cycling journeys could be improved, particularly for more vulnerable community members, including children, and those with access requirements.  

“We are now looking forward to hearing people’s views on the draft designs, which propose a promenade that celebrates local identity and offers smoother, safer journeys to school, town, the ferry and beyond. 

"Our design and engagement process continues to put people at the heart of decisions about their local spaces. Through our public design events and survey, we'll be working hand-in-hand with the community to develop designs that support fairer, healthier and safer choices for all road users, especially our young people travelling to school." 

About Walk Wheel Cycle Trust:  

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (the new name for Sustrans) is the charity making it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle. 

We work directly with communities to make change happen. Then we evidence the impact to influence policies to push those changes further. 

Because when we change how we travel, we change everything. Our health. Our wellbeing. Our world. 

Join us on our journey: https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk  

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is a registered charity in Scotland (SC039263), in England and Cymru (326550) and Republic of Ireland (20206824).  

For more information please contact: 

Email: Stromness@walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk  

Tel: 0131 346 1384 and ask for a callback from the A Safer Route to School (Stromness) team