WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Paper 6 11/03/05 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY FOR INFORMATION Title: Entry Point Signage at Railway Stations Prepared by: Pete Crane, Visitor Services Officer Purpose The purpose of this information paper is to report on progress made on erecting signs at the five railway stations in the Cairngorms National Park. Recommendations The Board is invited to; • Note progress made to date on erecting Entry Point Signage at the five railway stations within the Park. Executive Summary At it’s meeting on the 3 December 2004 the Board asked to be updated on the progress in developing Point of Entry Markers at Railway Stations in the Cairngorms National Park. This paper summarises the work undertaken to date. Entry Point Signage at Railway Stations Background 1. At the Board Meeting of 3 December the Board asked to be updated on progress made in erecting entry point markers at the five railway stations in the Cairngorms National Park. The stations are in Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore and Carrbridge. 2. We had previously been advised that obtaining permission for large granite style markers would be very difficult in station environment for health and safety reasons. There are also issues concerning how the granite marker might appear in a station environment. Therefore, we have decided to pursue signage that followed the pattern and style of existing station signage. 3. The Strathspey Steam Railway stations at Boat of Garten and Broomhill have not been included because these are not entry points to the National Park. However, an appraisal of these stations will be included in future work on internal signage. Current Station Signage 4. The standard station name signage within the National Park comprises three to four station name signs along each platform. These signs are a simple metal design mounted on lighting poles. The name of the station on each sign appears in English and Gaelic (see Annex 1) 5. In addition to the station names other smaller signage has been added to existing posts on the platform to inform passages that they can alight for the National Cycle Route (see Annex 1) 6. Aviemore station differs from the other stations. Here the station name sign is a bespoke design to complement the station buildings. However, the National Cycle Route signage still appears on existing poles at Aviemore. Cairngorms National Park Signage 7. Highland Rail Partnership is surveying the five stations to determine where National Park signs can be located. They have also obtained permission from the rail authority to have the signs erected. 8. Subject to final survey, each platform will receive two ‘large’ and two ‘small’ National Park signs. The ‘large’ signs will be the same dimensions and construction as the station name signs. The ‘small’ signs will be the same dimensions and construction as the National Cycle Route signage. This smaller signs can be located under the existing station name signs. 9. Both sizes of sign will be printed with the National Park Brand and with the Park name in both English and Gaelic. Annex 2 shows both designs. 10. The erection of this point of entry signage at stations will create a sense of arrival in the Cairngorms National Park and will be in keeping with existing signage. However, this solution works only partially at Aviemore where bespoke wooden station name signs have been painted. Therefore, we will look at the potential for adding similar, additional, wooden signage at Aviemore as part of the ongoing work on signage within the Park. Recommendation 11. The Board is invited to note progress made to date on erecting Entry Point Signage at the five railway stations within the Park. Pete Crane 1 March 2005 petecrane@cairngorms.co.uk