Latest news with #GallifordTryInfrastructure
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New boss has 'faith' in formerly troubled mountain railway
It resumed service in February of this year but closed again in May for three weeks of annual maintenance, returning to service at the beginning of June. Read more: As a result of the 2018 closure and repair work the funicular's owner, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), took legal action against Galliford Try Infrastructure and AF Cruden Associates over the original design and construction of the mountain railway. That resulted in an £11m out-of-court settlement in August 2023. 'We've got – well I've certainly got – faith that it will be up and running for the foreseeable future," Mike Gifford told The Herald when asked about the funicular's current prospects. "It went through a very successful health and safety audit recently and we got an exemplary report back for that so we're really happy, and we're in a really good position. We're looking forward to seeing lots of visitors on it.' Mr Gifford took up the post of chief executive of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd (CMSL), a subsidiary of HIE, on June 16. He now has overall responsibility for day-to-day operations and strategic developments at the publicly-owned Cairngorm Estate, which covers 3,500 acres. In addition to winter sports, the resort has mountain biking tracks, adventure play, and mountain carting (Image: Cairngorm Mountain) Before it was closed, the funicular's operators estimated that it carried about 300,000 people annually. From the start of April to the end of June this year it carried 25,000 passengers. Mr Gifford said he is currently in the process of reviewing how its closure has impacted overall visitor numbers at the resort during the last several years. "Because we haven't had the centre up and fully running without the funicular, numbers have been a little bit down on [previous] years, but over the last six-week period we've had about 10,000 people through the door - that's the current figure," he said. "The funicular is vital to the operation here. It's how we get all our customers up to the top of the mountain to enjoy the views. Read more: "We're currently using it this year for the mountain carting, whereas last year we didn't because it wasn't in place, so yeah, it's got huge benefits for the mountain and the local area and local tourism." Mr Gifford said he is in the process of reviewing the Cairngorm Mountain Masterplan, which was published by HIE in June 2021 to outline a 25-year vision for the development of the estate. It is also expected that plans will soon be submitted to build the UK's longest and highest toboggan at Cairngorm Mountain, but this depends on receiving planning permission and getting funding in place for the project. The money is expected to come from a mixture of public and private sources. "We'd like to have that up and running for next summer, but obviously that does depend on lots of factors, but that would be a great addition to the hill," Mr Gifford said. The resort employs more than 90 people at peak season (Image: Cairngorm Mountain) He added: "We would like to see the masterplan continue and are working closely with HIE to make that happen. The toboggan will be the next big thing on the list and then we've got ideas for trying to improve the rest of the site." Asked about reports earlier this year of staff at Cairngorm Mountain being bullied, Mr Gifford said he couldn't comment on those allegations as they were prior to him joining the organisation. But going forward there is "certainly no place for bullying" at the resort, which employs more than 90 people during peak periods. "We're really looking forward to building on the team and having a very positive future up here," he said. "We've had several new starts recently and they're really enjoying their positions." Adding that the ultimate objective is to get Cairngorm Mountain "to the point where it is fully financially sustainable", he added: "We want to be the best mountain resort in the UK. That's our ultimate goal and constantly reviewing the masterplan, and also engaging with the local and users to gauge exactly what it is they want to see happening up on the mountain, that is really important for us."
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers warned ahead of major road closures at Newby West Roundabout, Carlisle
Drivers have been warned ahead of works starting at Newby West Roundabout, Carlisle Starting Tuesday, April 22, Peter Lane will be closed at the Newby West Roundabout end as part of improvement works for the Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR) project. No through route will be available, but residents of Peter Lane will still have access via Dalston Road. From Monday, April 28 the A595 North from Newby West Roundabout into Carlisle will be closed to all traffic from the roundabout to the car garage. No through route will be available, but residents on Wigton Road will still have access from Carlisle. These essential works, carried out by Galliford Try Infrastructure on behalf of Cumberland Council, will run from April to the end of August 2025. A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: 'During the closure, we will be building a new, larger roundabout boosting traffic capacity and connectivity in the area. 'We will be keeping you updated as works progress. 'If you have any queries in relation to this temporary order please contact the Highways Hotline by calling 0300 373 3736 or via the Cumberland Council website.' READ MORE: Unite Cumbria backs Birmingham bin workers on strike | News and Star The Carlisle Southern Link Road will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 to the west. The route will include new junctions linking existing radial routes into Carlisle and the proposed Garden Village. The route will include bridges over two main railway lines and the Caldew and Petteril rivers, a network of footways and cycleways and an extensive programme of landscaping and environmental mitigation. The 8km long road will provide infrastructure to relieve congestion in Carlisle and provide the access and network capacity to enable the successful and accelerated delivery of the 10,000 home St Cuthbert's Garden Village development which is set to be the size of Penrith and is the largest plan of its kind north of Manchester.
