Firms appointed to work up Cairngorm Mountain masterplan
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is preparing to carry out extensive community consultation that will invite stakeholders to engage in creating a new, long-term masterplan to maximise Cairngorm Mountain's role in underpinning the wider local economy.
The agency said it has commissioned specialist contractors to provide support in preparing both the business case and the wider masterplan for the resort.
Masterplan preparation will be led by Threesixty Architecture, Jura Consultants and ITP Energised.
These companies have well-established track records and expertise in their respective fields and were appointed following competitive procurement.
HIE said it is currently preparing a business case that will consider options for the future of the Cairngorm funicular railway; support the operating company to deliver excellent service; and recommend investment priorities to enhance the appeal of the mountain as a year-round attraction.
The funicular has been a centrepiece of the mountain resort since 2001, but was taken out of service last September after an inspection identified concerns over its condition.
An HIE spokesman said: "Since then, specialist engineers have rigorously examined the railway's structure, which effectively comprises a series of linked bridges, and produced concept designs covering options for repair.
"The business case will cover a broader range of options for the future of the funicular.
"If repair is deemed the preferred way forward, the next stage will include gaining the necessary consents and procuring a contractor. At that point we will be clearer on costs and timescales.
"HIE has appointed RSM UK to support work on developing the business case. Perfect Circle has been appointed through the public sector contracting authority Scape Procure Scotland, to lead on detailed design work."
HIE has also published further details of the condition of the Cairngorm funicular, following a Freedom of Information request.
The documents are the 2018 annual funicular inspection report and a report of the follow-up examination of sliding bearings that sit between the vertical piers and horizontal beams.
The HIE spokesman said: "The inspections were carried out by engineering firm ADAC, and concluded that the general condition was poor for a structure of its age, with widespread minor deficiencies.
"The second report highlighted the need for a full structural investigation, which has since been carried out by specialist engineering firm, COWI, peer reviewed by Mott MacDonald.
"This confirmed that work was required to strengthen the piers, beams and foundations, and that new sliding bearings with higher load and movement capacity should be installed."
The two ADAC reports can be read online at http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/area-information/inner-moray-firth/cairngorm-mountain.html
