Identification, certification and implementation of a number of strengthening works on an existing engineering structure

Cairngorm Funicular

Closed in 2018 due to structural issues, the 2 km Cairngorm Funicular Railway serves the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Resort and is vital to the area’s tourism economy. This project required the identification, certification and implementation of a number of strengthening works on an existing engineering structure.

Our team has been managing and designing this complex project, helping our client to overcome significant obstacles to reach a point where completion is imminent.

The design process was complicated by the lack of as-built drawings for the existing infrastructure. Extensive surveys had to be carried out to each aspect of the existing structure to determine where there were issues. However, Covid-19 added additional complications to the completion of necessary surveys.

Stakeholder communication was essential – the high public profile of the scheme coupled with the requirement for central government approval meant that there were many external bodies who had to be kept informed at key stages in the project process.

We managed a process whereby assumptions were made based on surveys which has been completed to allow accurate drawings to be provided for pricing purposes, with the remaining surveys carried out later in the year before construction issue drawings were prepared. Given the critical nature of the completion date, this strategy was essential to mitigate the risk of project delay.

Working with the client, we developed a clear communication strategy and reporting mechanism which made sure each stakeholder was engaged in accordance with the programme.