A demolition site in the centre of Cupar has come under the scrutiny of an independent structural engineer.
The visit, funded by the Association of Businesses in Cupar and District (ABCD) and a small number of businesses, took place on Monday at the dangerous building on 26-32 Bonnygate.
Traders have been angry after experiencing a sharp drop in turnover since the brick-by-brick teardown began late last month. They are also angry at the length of time the project costing more than £327,000 is scheduled to take and accuse Fife Council of not doing enough to encourage customers into town.
The ABCD last week announced it would take this latest action to determine the way the demolition is being carried out.
Fife Council has closed part of the Bonnygate, the main route for motorists on the A91 to St Andrews, in the interests of health and safety. This is proving to have a crippling impact on surrounding businesses.
Some traders have recorded an 80% reduction in sales as a result of the closure and series of diversions and parking restrictions around the town.
ABCD chairman Jim Hair said he expects the engineer’s report to come through by the weekend.
Meanwhile, Neil Mitchell, team leader at the council’s building standards and safety department, said the authority gave full access to the engineer and were available to answer questions.
“A report will be handed back to the traders as the engineer is working for them, but we hope to read this at a later date,” he said.
“There will be another progress meeting this Wednesday, which happens each week, where we will get a better idea of how the works are advancing, which could determine the partial reopening of the Bonnygate to traffic,” he said.
There was good news for traders last week when it emerged that the demolition could be completed in a total of 10 weeks five weeks ahead of schedule.
However, this failed to appease many who fear some shops still face closure despite the reduced time frame.
Using emergency powers, Fife Council last month began the tear down the building after recording years of structural movement at its base.
In December, the property’s three owners were served with a dangerous building notice but they failed to carry out repairs within an allotted time.