REMEDIAL works are to begin on the Cairngorm funicular railway following the snow sport season ending.
Balfour Beatty has been appointed by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to undertake the work.
A prime focus will be the hundreds of scarf joints linking beams and piers along the 1.7km viaduct. They were installed during the major reinstatement programme that ran for just over two years from November 2020.
In addition, testing is under way on tensioning works to beams and diaphragms that were also installed as part of the reinstatement programme and remedial action will be taken as required.
The funicular was initially closed over safety concerns in October 2018, but came back into service in January 2023. In August of that year, however, the service was again stopped after several scarf joints were found to be below the specified tension.
Hector MacAulay MBE, MD of Balfour Beatty Scotland, said, “We are working hard to complete this programme of remedial works as quickly as possible, deploying multiple teams simultaneously to safely reinstate this unique attraction and resume service before the next winter snowsports season.”
Stuart Black, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, added, “Balfour Beatty’s commitment to concluding these important works over the coming months is very welcome. This is still a challenging period for Cairngorm and we want to thank all the loyal supporters who continue to visit and enjoy all that the mountain estate has to offer throughout the year while work is ongoing to bring the funicular back.”
