4. Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Page 5
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As you know the funicular railway opened at Christmas 2001 and has been a great success. Here at HIE we feel justifiably proud as it has been claimed that 65 new jobs have been created and 2500 tourism related jobs in the area have been safeguarded. We were delighted when we heard that summer visitor numbers are expected to increase from the present 50,000 per year to 165,000 - an incredible boost to the area. However, it's not just the jobs boost we're so delighted about - there's an environmental gain as well. As you know Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), who have a statutory responsibility to protect the natural heritage of the area, approved the visitor management plan (VMP) which prevents direct access to the environmentally fragile area of the Cairn Gorm plateau from the funicular railway. |
The
Cairngorm area is one of outstanding natural beauty. Scottish Natural
Heritage have a responsibility to protect it.
© Ruaridh Pringle |
