No time set for return of Cairngorm railway

THERE are serious concerns in the strath that businesses could close and jobs be lost if there is no quick solution to getting the Cairngorm funicular back on track.

The huge setback comes as latest accounts reveal CairnGorm Mountain Ltd has racked up more losses – this time more just over £1 million for the past reporting year – with the company citing the worst winter in terms of lack of snow in 40 years for falling deeper into the red.

The shutdown of the funicular for an undetermined period of time coming into the winter ski season is a hammer blow for operators Natural Retreats.

Engineers were on site yesterday continuing inspection of the problem related to the concrete pillars supporting the track and the foundations in particular.

Local businesses will be left to count the cost too if the service remains out of operation once snow arrives.

Alan Brattey, Aviemore Business Association secretary, said members are "gravely concerned" about prospects for this coming winter.

"Customer confidence in the funicular has been damaged and irrespective of whether it is repaired or not – we certainly hope it will be – the perception amongst many snowsports customers is that it will be unreliable," he said.

"There are already many, many social media comments from people who are openly stating that they will not be coming to Cairngorm for their sport this winter.

"HIE are fully responsible for placing the mountain business into a position where it is extremely vulnerable to any interruptions to the operability of the funicular."

He called on the Scottish Government to "intervene before they do any further damage to the Strathspey economy".

Mike Dearman is spokesman for Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust which is trying to take community control of the resort. He said: "The trust is devastated to hear of yet another setback at Cairngorm, and we hope a timely solution can be found for customers and staff. We are disappointed it took a month since the funicular closures started for either HIE or Cairngorm to make a statement, and would urge them to be more forthcoming in future on what is a critical issue for the area.

"We hope we can be part of the solution and HIE will engage meaningfully with the trust in forming contingency plans and on any effect this issue has on the overall strategy for Cairngorm."

Graham Garfoot has been instrumental in HIE going public after his FoI requests revealed last year's unrelated concerns with the concrete supports reported in last week's Strathy.

He said: "If HIE hadn't been in such a hurry to remove the Ciste chairs last year they may have had something to fall back on but too late for that now. The only real hope is that when the snow arrives it lies all the way down to the Cas car park so that at least the surface lifts can run."

Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes MSP said the obvious priority is to ensure that the funicular is safe. She said: "With the season looming, it is critical that HIE and Natural Retreats work together very closely to get this work done as soon as possible." She said HIE agreed that "time is of the essence".

An HIE spokesman said yesterday: "Cairngorm itself remains open and there are other forms of uplift for skiers to access the slopes as and when conditions are suitable albeit a far reduced level of access than would be the case with the funicular running."

HIE stressed the new problem is unrelated to the cracked beam raised in 2017 and repaired last Autumn.