Operators of the Cairngorm Funicular have announced it will not run on Tuesdays for the next eight weeks.
The UK’s highest railway reopened in January following a £25 million refurbishment prompted by safety concerns which forced its closure in 2018.
But minor work is required to complete the structure – meaning the train will not run on Tuesdays throughout June and July.
Last month, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) – owners of Cairngorm Estate – confirmed that contractors Balfour Beatty would be returning to Cairngorm Mountain to complete a series of outstanding work.
The project was not finished last year due to the onset of winter weather but operators stressed this has not affected the “safe operation of the railway.”
HIE bosses say the decision to shut the funicular is for public safety.
‘We had hoped to be able to avoid closure altogether’
The closures will take place each Tuesday until August, with the funicular to remain open the remainder of the time.
James Palmer, the development agency’s construction project manager, said: “Although these works are fairly minimal in the context of the overall reinstatement programme, they will all make a difference to the quality of the project.
“We had hoped to be able to avoid closure altogether, but unfortunately that has not been possible and we apologise to anyone whose planned visit to Cairngorm may be affected by the need to close on Tuesdays for a limited period.
“As with everything on Cairngorm, weather will play its part. However, at present, we are on course to complete these works before the end of July when normal service will resume.”
Minor improvement works get underway
Contractors arrived on site on May 30 to begin final works on the project.
Over the course of the works, contractors will paint sections of the steelwork along the 1.2-mile-long track and tidy up mortar grouting.
To minimise disruption for visitors to the mountain resort, the majority of the work is being carried in the evenings.
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