New Bollards Enhance Street Management in Kirkwall
Kirkwall has seen the recent installation of new bollards at the east end of Laing Street, a development that has prompted discussion. Orkney Islands Council has clarified that these bollards are designated for use exclusively during the arrival of very large cruise liners, specifically those exceeding 3,000 passengers.
Purpose and Implementation
The council explained that these new bollards are an upgrade from the temporary road signs previously employed to manage street closures for large cruise ship visits. The bollards will be deployed and secured only when street closures are necessary. Outside of these specific operational periods, they will be stored off-site. This approach is intended to present a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing solution compared to the previous use of “unsightly and unwieldy road signs,” as described by the council, while also being a “cost-effective and efficient way of managing these street closures.”
This year, street closures are scheduled for 24 days between April and October, with fifteen of these still to occur. The council emphasized that closures are implemented to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers on days with high cruise passenger numbers, as well as for community events like parades. Closures are not enacted if the final passenger count is projected to be below 3,000.
Broader Installation Plans
Similar bollard systems are slated for installation in other key areas of Kirkwall, including:
- Bridge Street Wynd
- St Olafs Wynd
- The head of Albert Street
A pre-existing bollard fixing is already in place at the lower end of Bridge Street. Additionally, a permanent bollard is being installed outside the offices of Foubister and Bain on Broad Street. This measure is intended to “avoid illegal parking in that area which has been preventing street cleaner access to The Strynd.” The council has stated that these installations are “completely unrelated” to traffic orders that were previously considered and rejected by councillors last year.
Addressing Concerns and Improving Safety
A spokesperson for the council commented on the new infrastructure: “The bollard fixings are being installed at the locations where we already place road closed signs when the street is closed. The bollards are stored elsewhere and erected as and when the street is closed. It’s, therefore, not a new thing – just a different way of doing it.”
Previously, managing street closures required a dedicated crew and vehicle to transport and set up signs and sandbags at each entry point. While erecting the bollards still requires staff presence, the process is anticipated to be significantly simpler. The council also highlighted past issues where drivers would move temporary signs, disregard closures, and drive through restricted streets. The new bollard system is designed to prevent such safety breaches.
Ward Councillor’s Stance and Resident Access
Ward councillor John Ross Scott expressed his lack of prior notification regarding the bollard work via social media. His primary concern was the potential impact on emergency service access. He was informed that fire engines and ambulances would be able to pass through the bollards in emergency situations.
Given that Laing Street is a one-way street, residents have raised questions about vehicle egress when the bollards are in use. The council advised that householders will need to “plan ahead for the street being closed in the same way that householders in Albert Street and Bridge Street do at the moment.” The council noted that Laing Street was added to the street closure list in recent years due to observed driver behavior when Albert Street and Bridge Street were closed. Some drivers were reportedly using the one-way Laing Street as a shortcut, driving against the flow of traffic to access Albert Street, or reversing down Laing Street to park while visiting shops. Both actions posed significant safety risks, leading to Laing Street’s inclusion in the road closure plans.
