Cairngorm funicular will not run this summer
THE Cairngorm funicular railway is to remain out of operation throughout the summer months and possibly beyond, it has just been announced.
It follows a detailed investigation into concerns over the structure of the £20 million mountain railway.
The investigation, by specialist engineers COWI, was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which owns the facility, following safety concerns raised in a general inspection last autumn.
Engineers have concluded that the structure does not present an immediate danger to the public.
However, the safety margin is lower than desirable and a series of measures should be put in place to address weaknesses before resumption of service.
Work is required to strengthen the piers, beams and foundations, and install new bearings with higher load and movement capacity.
COWI carried out the investigation between September and last month COWI carried out the investigation between September and December last year.
This included excavating around foundations and intrusive investigations of the structure
HIE is currently exploring the scope and cost of these works, and this is expected to take several weeks.
An HIE spokesman said: "Work on the structure of the funicular can only be carried out during summer months when the mountain is more accessible to contractors.
"It will therefore remain out of service for the remainder of the current winter season and throughout the summer months and possibly longer."
Susan Smith, HIE's head of business development, said: "We have considered carefully the implications of the investigation and concluded it will take considerable time to design, procure and complete the necessary works.
"Our goal is to have the funicular up and running as soon as is safe to do so, but in the meantime, we anticipate it will remain out of service throughout the summer months and possibly beyond. We will provide further updates as things progress."
New snow making equipment worth £1 million began operating in December.
Up to 100 skiers a day can currently access artificial snow on the lower slopes, and ski tows can provide uplift to higher parts of the mountain when there is enough natural snowfall and conditions are favourable.
* More on this breaking story in the latest Strathy, out on Thursday.
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