Highland MSP Edward Mountain has demanded a change of management of the Cairngorm Funicular away from HIE but First Minister John Swinney refused
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00:00The Cairngorm funicular railway opened in January 2023 after four years of repairs that
00:12cost £25 million. It closed months later because the repairs were defective, and it
00:19has remained closed ever since. We were told in November that it would reopen for the 2024
00:24season. That became 4 December, 20 December, early January and early February, in time
00:32for the school holidays, none of which happened. In fact, it has remained closed. This incompetence
00:38of HIE has cost the taxpayers and local businesses millions of pounds. After nearly six years
00:45of incompetence, surely the First Minister will support my calls for an inquiry into
00:50this fiasco and now remove HIE from the management of our Cairngorm mountain?
00:59This is a very difficult project in very challenging conditions. The fact that it is a funicular
01:04railway in the Cairngorm mountains is an indication of its challenge and difficulty. I have the
01:10utmost confidence in Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It is an excellent organisation
01:14and it commands my total confidence. It is well led and committed to doing good things
01:18for the Highlands and Islands. I have absolutely no intention of pursuing the approach suggested
01:24by Mr Mountain. I assure him that HIE is fully focused on securing the reopening of the funicular
01:31railway and that it would be a great boost to the community in and around the Aviemore
01:35area. I know that it has the attention and priority of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.