Roadworks begin on key Lerwick-Tingwall route after weeks of delay
Roadworks have started on the A970 between Ladies Drive and Windy Grind, marking the first movement on a project that has been postponed several times in recent weeks. The works, being carried out by SSEN Distribution, are part of a programme to upgrade the local electricity network and involve the installation of new cable ducting beneath the carriageway.
Engineers plan to use a horizontal directional drill (HDD) technique so the road surface will not need to be excavated for a full trench. The company had hoped most of the disruptive work would be completed during the school holidays to reduce impact on daily travel, but earlier delays mean the programme — originally envisaged as lasting around four months — could now run as late as Christmas.
Drivers report temporary lights "out of sync"
Residents travelling between Lerwick and Tingwall this week reported problems with the temporary traffic lights controlling the single-lane working. Posts on local social media said the lights were "not working" and appeared to change back to red quickly after turning green, with one driver describing them as "out of sync."
"The primary role of these lights is to ensure that road-users and colleagues stay safe while we carry out our essential work to upgrade the Shetland distribution network," SSEN Distribution said in response to concerns.
SSEN also stated that the traffic light systems were "operating without any known issues" and explained a built-in safety feature that forces both sets of lights to show red for a short period if a vehicle passes through a red light. The company said this temporary full-stop is an automatic reset designed to protect workers and other road-users.
Local impact and timeline
The scheme affects the stretch of the A970 linking parts of Lerwick with Tingwall and is expected to have a daily impact on motorists using that corridor. With the possibility of works stretching into the winter, residents have been urged to plan journeys carefully and allow extra time.
- Location: A970 between Ladies Drive and Windy Grind (Lerwick–Tingwall)
- Contractor: SSEN Distribution
- Method: Horizontal directional drill (HDD) to lay ducting beneath carriageway
- Initial expected duration: Around four months; may extend to Christmas due to earlier delays
| Event | Date / detail |
|---|---|
| Planned start announced | Originally scheduled to begin 13 July |
| Actual start | Work began on Sunday (local report) |
| Expected completion | Hoped to be largely within school holidays; may continue until Christmas |
What residents should expect
Temporary traffic signals will control alternating traffic flows where the carriageway is reduced to a single lane. Motorists who see lights turn to red are advised not to proceed through them: SSEN highlighted that doing so is illegal and automatically triggers a safety reset that sets both lights to red for a short interval.
Local authorities confirmed there had been "no specific date" for the start when questioned last month, but the works are now under way. Drivers raising concerns on community pages have been told by the contractor that the signalling systems are functioning as configured, and that the configuration prioritises safety for workers and road-users.
For Lerwick residents, the short-term inconvenience is balanced against a long-term gain: improved resilience of the local electricity distribution network. Nonetheless, with the works now live and the possibility of an extended schedule, commuters and businesses that rely on the A970 are likely to face disruption for the coming months.
