Cairngorm Funicular Repair Timescale Under Review
7th May 2020
Last modified on May 14th, 2021
Plans to begin work on repairs to the main lift at the Scottish ski area this year are being reviewed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The landowners, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, had hoped to carry out strengthening work to the structure of the mountain railway in 2020.
However, the planned timescale has been thrown into doubt.
The funicular has been out of action since serious structural failures were discovered in autumn 2018.
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The repairs, which are needed if the funicular is to brought back into service, are subject to outstanding planning and other statutory consents being granted.
HIE’s application to go ahead with the work will be considered by the Cairngorms National Park Authority at a virtual meeting on 22nd May.
“It had been HIE’s intention to carry out the strengthening works during 2020, subject to planning and other statutory consents being granted, a full options appraisal and approval of a detailed business case, as previously reported,” the body said in a statement to stakeholders.
“However, uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 outbreak means that this timescale is currently being reviewed.”
Later this month, specialists commissioned by HIE to come up with a wide-ranging masterplan for Cairngorm, are expected to share their initial findings.
Virtual meetings are being planned with key stakeholders this month, with wider public engagement due to follow in June.
More than 1,600 individuals and businesses submitted responses to a survey earlier this year looking at the future for Cairngorm Mountain.
Our Scotland reporter Rod Frazer had some epic days skiing in the Scottish ski area this past winter, before the coronavirus pandemic closed the resorts:
