A BOLTON environmental consultancy is working on a ground-breaking project aimed at restoring one of the country's foremost areas of natural beauty. Grass Science, based in Victoria House, on Garside Street, Bolton, has been employed by the Cairngorms Funicular Railway in Scotland to study the impact a new ski access project will have on the surrounding area. Brian Robinson, director of agronomy at Grass Science, said: Highlands and Islands Enterprise as well as the Cairngorm Chairlift Company were both keen that the new railway would be sympathetic to the environment and that all habitats were maintained while it was being built.

"For the past 10 years we've been heavily involved with restoring habitats scarred when the previous ski-lift was built here in the 1960s."

The main problem has been the shallow soil which has meant the maintenance of ground cover has been vital.

The firm has worked with Scottish National Heritage to excavate holes and survey the habitat prior to the start of the project.

More than 3,000 cubic metres of vegetarian weighing 6,000 tonnes has been removed, labelled and stored, ready to be put back when the work is finished.

Photographs of the landscape have also been taken with the location of major features noted.

The funicular railway is expected to be completed in autumn 2001.