A970 upgrade stalls before start, raising prospect of disruption into Christmas
Major utility works on the A970 between Lerwick and Tingwall have been hit by a late hold‑up linked to contractor issues, leaving Shetland residents facing the prospect of months of rolling disruption that could now stretch to Christmas.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution plans to install new cable ducting along the section between Ladies Drive and Windy Grind as part of wider energy infrastructure upgrades. The programme had been timed to make the most of the school summer holidays, when traffic is typically lighter, but the start has slipped and the council says there is no confirmed date to begin.
“The plan was to get most of this work done during the school holidays, but the contractor still has a couple of issues to sort before these can commence.”
SSEN indicated last month that activity would get under way this week. While the core schedule was originally set at roughly four months, the delay means crews could be on site into late December. The council has reiterated that a specific start date has not yet been set.
No trenching expected, but traffic management inevitable
Engineers intend to use horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to thread new ducting beneath the carriageway, reducing the need for extensive open excavation. Although HDD should limit direct carriageway trenching, the approach still requires compounds, access pits and traffic control measures along the route while the drilling heads are steered and ducts are pulled through.
The A970 is the principal link between Lerwick and communities to the west and north, with daily flows of commuters, service vehicles and deliveries. An extended programme running into winter, and beginning without a fixed date, complicates planning for residents and local businesses that rely on predictable journey times.
Concurrent works add pressure on the network
The A970 project comes alongside a separate 12‑week package already under way on the A968 Dales Lees road, which began last Monday. To manage safety and road space there, heavy goods vehicles are prohibited from using part of the Dales Lees route during the works period. With two strategic corridors affected in close succession, any slippage on the A970 timetable could magnify the impact across the network.
What we know so far
- Location: A970 between Ladies Drive and Windy Grind, for Lerwick–Tingwall cable ducting.
- Method: HDD to install new ducting beneath the carriageway, avoiding full-length trenching.
- Programme: Initially around four months; could now run until Christmas due to the delayed start.
- Status: Shetland Islands Council reports no confirmed start date as contractor issues are resolved.
- Related works: A968 Dales Lees scheme (12 weeks) now live; HGVs restricted on part of that route.
| Route | Section | Planned duration | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A970 | Ladies Drive–Windy Grind | ~4 months | Start delayed | Could extend to Christmas; HDD method |
| A968 | Dales Lees | 12 weeks | In progress | HGVs prohibited on part of route |
Planning journeys and next steps
While trenchless drilling should reduce the scale of surface disruption, road users should still anticipate traffic management such as lane closures and temporary signals at points along the A970 once the scheme commences. With the A968 already subject to restrictions, drivers may have limited opportunities to divert at peak times.
SSEN’s programme forms part of a series of scheduled roadworks linked to energy infrastructure upgrades in Shetland. The utility sought to align construction with the summer holiday period, but final mobilisation is now dependent on contractor readiness. The council has said it will communicate further once a date is set.
Residents and businesses along the A970 corridor are advised to allow extra time for essential journeys once works begin, particularly for freight movements and appointments in Lerwick. Public updates on precise traffic controls, work compounds and sequencing will be critical for those planning deliveries and staff travel.
InfoRadar will follow announcements from Shetland Islands Council and SSEN on the revised timetable and any changes to traffic management for both the A970 and the ongoing A968 works.
