Businesses and households in Cupar found themselves mopping up for the second time in less than 10 days on Wednesday afternoon following a heavy thunderstorm that compounded the damage caused by the dramatic flash floods of July 6.

Now questions are being asked about the efficiency of the town's drainage system, and Fife Council and Fife Police are being urged to join forces to develop an emergency traffic management strategy.

The flooding of last Monday morning was greatly exacerbated by traffic passing through Cupar and creating tidal waves, prompting anger among some Bonnygate businesses who hit out at 'selfish' motorists.

North East Fife MP, Sir Menzies Campbell, contacted Fife Council expressing concerns that there was insufficient drainage to cope with the volume of water resulting from the storm.

He wanted to know what measures were in place to deal with future flooding and asked what lessons had been learned from last week's events.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Ted Brocklebank, also wrote to the council's chief executive Ronnie Hinds following a visit to Cupar in the aftermath of the floods.

He has asked him to look at the town's drainage 'as a matter of urgency'.

"There was an understandable mood of frustration from local residents and shopkeepers," he said.

"For many, this is the second time in a year they have had premises flooded and some will have to close businesses and lose trade for weeks while repair and renovation work is carried out.

"Fife Council claim that this time burns did not overflow and the flooding was caused by water coming off the land, but this seems more concerning if Cupar drains cannot cope with localised heavy rainfall.

"Not surprisingly, Cuparians now feel they have had enough and it's time for the council to act."

Bakery manager Ben Milne contacted the Fife Herald in frustration after his family business, Fisher and Donaldson, was hit by floods again on Wednesday.

He said he had contacted Fife Council about a blocked drain outside the Crossgate premises, but they had failed to respond.

"We have had problems with flooding ever since the Bonnygate car park opened," he said.

"We have installed a flood barrier but it couldn't cope with the recent exceptional rainfall.

"Twice in the past 10 days we've had customers trapped in the shop, some of whom are elderly and became quite anxious.

"The council really should do something about the drains before the same thing happens again."

Stuart Ferguson of the council's transportation service said: "Piped drainage systems are used within urban areas such as Cupar and were designed in an era long before awareness of global warming and the level of storm intensity that is relatively frequent nowadays.

"This was seen during the storms last week and only last August, both of which caused severe damage and with which our systems could not cope.

"In addition to this there is the problem of mud and silt coming off fields into these drainage systems during heavy downpours.

"Since last August a budget has been approved for phase two of the Cupar Flood Scoping Study and this work is being done by our consultants.

"Also, budget approval has been given for the provision and installation of a combined drainage, carriageway and footway scheme for Burnside area.

"Within the Burnside area project, liaison will take place with land wners to reduce water run off from their land on to the roads."

He went on: "All of our drains are cleaned once a year, and during the flooding all of our drains were running clear.

"Regardless of the level of maintenance service provided, most of the inherited drainage infrastructure does not have capacity to deal with the type of weather that occurred.

"In excess of 600 sand bags were issued from our stores directly to members of the public for self-help and also distributed throughout Cupar by transportation services staff.

"The self-help by the public was appreciated as it helped us deliver sand bags to other people faster."

Mr Ferguson added that a meeting would be held in Cupar on July 27 to review Fife Council transportation services and the emergency services response to the flooding.

From this meeting, an action plan to minimise damage to property and commerce will be developed.

Meanwhile, work has begun on replacing flooring and carpets at Castlehill Primary School, which was badly affected by flooding on July 6.

Education officer Ralph Donaldson said: "There has been no damage to fabric of the building, only to floorcoverings throughout the school.

"Parents and staff at Castlehill will receive information letters to keep them informed as we work towards ensuring children have minimal disruption on their return after the summer break."