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Renewed calls for Cairngorms closed-system to be scrapped





The Cairngorm funicular. Passengers are not allowed to step outside the Ptarmigan top station outwith winter
The Cairngorm funicular. Passengers are not allowed to step outside the Ptarmigan top station outwith winter

Scotland's tourism and business minister has pledged to take the on-going controversy over the Cairngorm funicular’s closed system to the top of government.

Mr Fergus Ewing wants an impartial review of the restriction which prevents passengers on the £20 million mountain railway from stepping outside onto the plateau outwith winter time.

He told the ‘Strathy’: "The closed system was a necessary compromise at the time but it is now time for it to go."

His comments followed renewed calls by Aviemore Community Council for the ‘ludicrous’ ban on open access to be scrapped.

The watchdog believes that the ‘closed system’ hampers local tourism and runs counter to the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Act.

Mr Ewing said: "I do believe that it is time for a thoroughgoing review, and personally do not believe that the closed system serves any purpose.

" . . . It is time for a review. I will raise again this issue with Scottish Government colleagues, and suggest that since SNH have a role, perhaps there is a case for the review to be conducted by someone who is impartial."

The closed system has been in place since the funicular started operating in December 2001 in order to protect nearby sites under the EU Birds and Habitats Directive.

Part of the condition of £2.6 million funding from Europe is that the visitor management plan signed by Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, CairnGorm Mountain Ltd, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Bank of Scotland has to remain in place.

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