Mountain railway closed over safety fears

BRITAIN’S highest railway has been closed because of safety concerns over structures supporting the tracks.

The Cairngorm Mountain Railway was halted yesterday as a precaution following an investigation by engineers.

A reduced operation on the line near Aviemore started last month but yesterday the service was terminated until an inspection of its foundations can be carried out.

Work is expected to last several weeks on the service, which was built at a cost of £19.5million and opened in 2001. The funicular takes skiers and walkers up Cairn Gorm mountain.

Cairngorm Mountain Limited (CML) said the closure will have ‘serious implications’ for its commercial operation.

CML chief operating officer Ewan Kearney added: ‘Our priority is to get a clear picture of any faults with the funicular.

Susan Smith, Highlands and Islands Enterprise head of business development, said: ‘Safety must come first.’

Meanwhile, three hillwalkers in gym gear had to be rescued from the Cairngorms after getting lost in snow storms.

The French tourists had tried to climb the 4,295ft Ben Macdui on Sunday without basic equipment and rescuers yesterday said they ‘would have struggled to survive’ if they had been forced to spend the night in temperatures of minus 3C.