Orkney Islands Council has opened a consultation for a 20mph limit in Finstown. It is also proposed to extend the 30mph limit.

Following a petition received from the local community in 2021, the Council – after significant debate – recommended the introduction of new speed limits in and around the village – which has required a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to be put in place.

Stage 1 of the consultation process saw Police Scotland consulted on the proposals, with stage 2 seeing other organisations like Scottish Fire & Rescue and community councils asked for comments.

The full proposals are as follows:

• An extension of an existing part-time 20 mph limit on the A966 to cover a section of the A965 from the war memorial to the Grandon Road junction.
• Extension of the existing 30mph speed limits on the Old Finstown Road, extending the limit from Avallon to Lindean.
• Extension of the existing 30mph speed limits on the ‘Kirkwall side’ of the Stromness to Kirkwall road, extending the limit from The Boathouse to Marsdene.
• Extension of the existing 30mph speed limits on the A966 to Evie, extending the limit from the telephone exchange to five metres Heddon.

In addition, new speed devices are to be installed at each of the entrances to Finstown on the A965, at the entrance to Finstown on the A966, at the entrance to Finstown on the Old Finstown Road, and in the centre of Finstown, in the vicinity of Esson’s Garage. These do not form part of the TRO or the consultation, and it is expected they will be installed no later than December.

Hayley Green is the Council’s Corporate Director for Neighbourhood Services and Infrastructure. She said:

“This will seem to many like a long process, but it’s a process that is required by law – and it’s good to be on the home straight now.

“The Kirkwall to Stromness road is Orkney’s busiest road, with many driving it on a daily basis. The challenges and issues of the speed and flow of traffic through Finstown are wide ranging – and attracted a lot of public attention and significant debate in the Council chamber.

“The consultation will allow our local communities to shape the final outcome and so I would encourage people with a view to get involved.”

Details of the proposals are contained in the draft Order which, together with copies of the relative maps, a statement of the Council’s reasons for proposing to make the Order and the Order specified above may be inspected online (click on Related Downloads at the foot of the page) and at the locations below during the following times:

1. Customer Services, Council Offices, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY:

Monday to Tuesday 09.00 to 17.00, Wednesday 10.00 to 17.00 and Thursday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00

2. Warehouse Buildings, 2-12 Victoria Street, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AA:

Monday 09.15 to 17.45, Tuesday to Wednesday 09.15 to 16.45, Thursday 09.15 to 17.45, Friday 09.15 to 16.45 and Saturday 11.00 to 15.45

3. Finstown Post Office, Finstown KW17 2EL:

Thursday, Friday and Saturdays between the hours of 09.30 and 12.30

4. Firth Community Centre, Old Finstown Road, Finstown:

The documents and plans will be displayed in the Finstown hall for the period of the public consultation, however the specific times that they can be viewed will be:

Wednesday 30 August 2023, 14.00 to 16.00 and Thursday 7 September 2023, 18.00 to 20.00.

Objections to the proposals, specifying the grounds on which they are made, should be sent in writing to the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Infrastructure, Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY or by email to NSI@orkney.gov.uk not later than 5pm on Friday 22 September 2023.

The deadline for comments is 5pm on Friday 22 September 2023.