BUSINESSES at the south end of Cowdenbeath High Street have been hit by a lack of busses stopping.

A breakdown in communication saw Stagecoach, who suspended busses stopping while temporary traffic lights were in place during the early stages of the SUSTRANS improvement works, but after the lights were removed there were still none stopping.

The effect on businesses at the south end has been marked.

Said Jim Paterson, from the Kassy's Kitchen cafe: "The bus stop opposite us was taken out of action while the temporary traffic lights were controlling traffic at our end of the High Street, but that has lasted for more than four weeks.

"It has meant that many of our customers were unable to get up High Street to use us and it had quite an effect on takings."

Jim said that a number of his neighbouring businesses had suffered the same effect on their trade.

Fife Council's Andrew Walker said that it was something that should not have happened.

He added: "Certainly when the temporary traffic lights were operating it was difficult for the bus stop to be used but these have not been in place for over a fortnight.

"I will be speaking to the bus company to get things back up and running.

"We really do not want the High Street improvements to have a negative impact on the business community and this has been an unfortunate circumstance."