Highlands MSP calls for repair bill for Cairngorm funicular to be revealed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Highlands MSP is calling for the revised costings for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular to be revealed ‘sooner rather than later’.
Edward Mountain (Scottish Conservative) said owners Highlands and Islands Enterprise indicated in a briefing last Autumn to MPs and MSPs that the costs to repair the mountain railway would rise due to unforeseen construction challenges.
They had only come to light as structures were uncovered for repair.
Mr Mountain said it was suggested in that meeting that revised costings would be finalised by the end of 2021.
The regional MSP has since requested the costings in a Freedom of Information request but was informed the total revised cost to complete the reinstatement works is not yet known
Mr Mountain commented: “It’s deeply disappointing that the wait for an answer goes on.
“We’re now into a new year and the people of Badenoch and Strathspey need to know what the revised costings are for the funicular.
“What concerns me further is that it also wasn’t made clear in the SNP’s latest budget what funding would be made available for the repair works in 2022/23 either.
“It’s not fair that the public are being left in the dark.
“With the legal costs still racking up and the Snowfactory set to be relocated further up the mountain at great expense too, both the SNP Government and HIE need be open and honest about the new costings for the repair of the funicular sooner rather than later.
“I don’t believe it is unreasonable to expect up to a 30 per cent increase from the original repair budget of £16m.”
The MSP also continues to call for a full public inquiry to determine where responsibility lies for the historic failings at the resort.
An HIE spokesperson said: “We completely recognise the strong public interest in what’s happening at Cairngorm and the need to be as open as possible about our investment and actions.
“The next phase of reinstatement works will get under way in April and will require additional budget, as we stated when we announced the need to extend the timetable last year.
These costs are currently being calculated and will need to be agreed with the contractor and the government before they can be finalised. At that point, we will be in a position to put an accurate figure into the public domain.
“The legal actions that HIE is currently pursuing are intended ultimately to reduce the cost of reinstatement to taxpayers and we believe there is a strong public interest in doing all we can to achieve this.
“The Snowfactory has been a real boon for Cairngorm, not least in ensuring that the winter snowsports season could begin in December, even if on a limited basis.
Its current location was always intended to be temporary. The cost of relocation is currently being assessed and will be market tested before being made public.”
The total cost of legal action relating to the claims since December 2018 of defects and breaches of contract in the construction of the Cairngorm funicular is just over £385,000.
The next legal hearings are expected to be in February. The resort hopes to be able to relocate the Snowfactory this September.
