Tourists, local people, estates, and organisations are being given the chance to have their say on proposed changes to the Cairngorm Funicular Railway in a major consultation exercise.
Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council have received a request from operator Cairngorm Mountain Ltd to amend the existing Visitor Management Plan
(VMP) by ending the current ticket system, and promoting a footpath nearby.
The funicular development lies adjacent to some of the largest European
conservation sites in Britain - monitored and protected by SNH. They comprise
the Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The funicular railway lies within the Cairngorm Mountains National Scenic Area (NSA).
The funicular also lies within the Cairngorms National Park.
SNH has now launched a three-month consultation exercise allowing those interested (anyone) the chance to comment.
Operator CairnGorm Mountain proposes to:
- allow walkers entering the ptarmigan building to purchase a one-way ticket going down to the base station.
Currently return tickets can only be bought at the bottom station and people entering the top station are not able to buy a one way ticket to descend the funicular - other than in an emergency;
- add the Windy Ridge footpath - An t-Aonach leading to Sron an Aonach - to the list of preferred paths in the Visitor Management Plan.
Keith Duncan, SNH's East Highland area officer, stressed that SNH and The Highland Council were working in partnership to help ensure that as many people as possible were aware of the funicular proposals.
"SNH and The Highland Council must be satisfied that the proposals will not have an adverse effect on the European designated sites adjacent to the ski area," he said.
"The purpose of the Visitor Management Plan is to protect the integrity of areas designated under the European Habitats and Birds Directives from the potential impacts of non-skiing visitors as a direct consequence of the funicular development.
"Before deciding on these proposed changes we are keen to take account of all the views expressed by those with an interest in this magnificent part of Scotland with all the natural heritage it has to offer."
ENDS
Anyone wishing to comment directly on the proposed changes to the Visitor Management Plan can go to the SNH website at: www.snh.gov.org