This service is managed by Infrastructure Services
Public roads and maintenance
We are responsible for road maintenance throughout Orkney, including planned programmes of resurfacing and repair, and reactive work to deal with potholes, drainage issues and other faults.
The public roads list
The Statutory List of Public Roads is a register of all roads in Orkney that have been adopted and are maintained at public expense. The list is updated quarterly when new roads are adopted. The copyright remains with Orkney Islands Council and the list must not be used for commercial purposes without our consent. You can also visit us at the Council Offices during normal working hours to view the list in person.
Related resources
-
Orkney roads list
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s list of public roads across Orkney. It records each road’s name, area or island, classification, connecting roads and length in metres. A guide explains the road categories, including major A roads, connecting B roads, smaller classified roads, local unclassified roads and footpaths, and clarifies that “Ends” means the road does not continue to another road.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Is a specific road publicly maintained?
The quickest way to check whether a road is publicly maintained is to use the free One Scotland Gazetteer portal or contact our roads support team. A charge may apply for this service.
Related resources
Report a road fault
If you spot a pothole, damaged road surface, blocked drain or other road defect, please report it to us.
Related resources
Contact us
Roads support team
Emergency road access
Current road works
You can view current and planned road works across Orkney, including who is carrying out the work and how long it is expected to last, on the Road Works Scotland website. You can also view works by location on our interactive map.
Related resources
We also publish a regular updates covering planned road works, closures and any disruption across Orkney.
-
Latest news
5 November 2026
The Orkney Islands Council (The Keelies, Kirkwall) (Temporary Closure) Order 2026
Orkney Islands Council has made the above-named Order under section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to ensure the safety of the public and road users while Scottish Water carry out work on underground infrastructure.
-
3 November 2026
Council Introduces New Electronic Sign for Churchill Barrier Closures
This week, Orkney Islands Council has positioned a variable message sign on Glimps Holm, at the south end of the second barrier, which will be used to advise when the barrier is closed.
-
26 October 2026
Flood Warning for St Margaret’s Hope, alongside Amber Flood Risk and Yellow Wind Warning - Tuesday 27 October
SEPA has issued a Flood Warning for St Margaret’s Hope, where flooding of low-lying land, roads and properties is expected on Tuesday 27 October, from approximately 9:30am. This comes alongside a wider Amber flood risk for coastal and tidal flooding across Orkney, and a Yellow weather warning for wind from the Met Office, in place for Orkney from 3am to 9pm on Tuesday.
