Cairngorm funicular will have to wait until ‘early in new year’ to restart
The long-awaited, much-promised return of the funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain will not take place in December after all, the Cairngorm Estate owners have admitted.
Contractor Balfour Beatty has substantially completed an extensive remediation programme to strengthen the 1.8km viaduct, but detailed inspections have shown that “further work is required in some areas”.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise , along with the contractor and consultants, will review the scope and nature of the outstanding works early in January, with a view to bringing the funicular back “as early as possible in the new year”.
Once the remediation works have been concluded, a spokesperson said this afternoon, a series of mechanical safety testing, trial runs and staff training will follow.
At the same time, HIE will maintain ongoing dialogue with the Health and Safety Executive.
In the meantime, resort operator Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd has launched its winter season with manufactured snow providing cover in the beginners’ area which can be accessed from the car park.
“When there is suitable natural snowfall to enable skiing and snowboarding at higher levels, surface lifts will be available to provide access” a spokesperson confirmed.
Snowsports enthusiasts are advised to check condition reports that are regularly updated on the resort’s website: www.cairngormmountain.co.uk
HIE will provide a further update in January.
