The construction of a link road that will provide access to Orkney’s new Hospital and Healthcare Facilities got underway yesterday with an official turf cutting to mark the event.

Set between New Scapa Road and the Orphir Road, the Scapa Link Road will be approximately 600 metres in length and will enter the south end of the new hospital site.

It will provide access for vehicles involved in the construction of the new hospital, and when completed, will provide dedicated hospital entry and exit to reduce the impact on the surrounding roads.

The link road should be complete by the end of March 2016.

Local company Andrew Sinclair has been appointed contractor for the scheme that will cost £1.13 million.

Orkney Islands Council convener, Steven Heddle, said: “With the development of the new hospital being such a long-awaited project for Orkney residents, it’s important to mark the occasion. The link road is the beginning of an exciting new development that will facilitate the hospital project. The new hospital will be of enormous importance to Orkney and this is the first step.”

Darren Richardson, OIC’s head of roads and environmental services, said: “I am pleased that we are now at the construction stage. We have been working very closely with the Hospital Project team to ensure we take into account the concerns of local residents with regard to minimising disruption.

“Through the design, we have created dedicated entry and exit points on the new link road rather than the hospital site being serviced from the existing road network.

“The construction provides pedestrian and cyclist access and comprehensive drainage work that will blend into the local environment to enhance the look of the landscape and encourage wildlife in the surrounding area through a significant level of planting.”