One of Cupar’s busiest streets is expected to reopen this week — eight weeks ahead of schedule.
It was feared the Bonnygate would be closed to traffic for 15 weeks as a dangerous building was being demolished.
However, work has progressed so well that the road closure may be lifted on both lanes on Friday.
The early reopening of the section of the A91 will provide some relief for shops and businesses who have reported a slump in trade, with some suffering losses in turnover of up to 80%.
When the road was closed at the end of March Fife Council — which appointed a contractor to take down the building at 26-32 Bonnygate — warned it could be July 9 before it was reopened.
But it said that the demolition had gone smoothly following regular review meetings with the contractor, allowing the traffic restriction to be reduced to less than seven weeks.
North-east Fife area committee chairman Andrew Arbuckle said, “It is excellent news… It is timed also with the imminent appointment of our town centre co-ordinator, thus enabling as much support as possible for the businesses in this very important period.
“I would pay tribute to council officers who helped push this project to completion in half the original contract time while at the same time taking public safety into consideration.”
Shopkeeper Eric Dall, who represents the Federation of Small Businesses, said he and fellow traders were delighted to see the job carried out so quickly.
He said, “Cupar trade has suffered badly over the last few weeks, even though it has been business as usual.
“I hope that we can return the town to some normality and encourage people back to see the variety of shops and businesses Cupar has to offer.
“As we approach the summer there are plenty of speciality shops, many offering sales and discounts to visitors to the town.”
Fife Council officers have come in for criticism from business people about how the £327,000 project was handled, although an independent engineer called in by traders agreed the methodology was appropriate.
With the reopening of the road imminent, Eric Milne, of Fisher & Donaldson, said he hoped that the council would implement some of the measures suggested by business people to aid recovery.
These include a high-profile ‘reopening’ of the town, an advertising campaign, leaflet drop and continuation of free parking.