PUBLIC transport in the Wee County has been dealt another blow this week following the announcement that Stagecoach is looking at withdrawing their bus service.

The current number 8 service runs from Stirling to Dunfermline once an hour, providing additional links between residents in Tullibody, Alloa, Clackmannan and Kincardine.

However, Stagecoach have said that continuing to run the route is not cost effective.

Starting tomorrow, Monday June 13, they will be holding consultations with a view to implementing changes by August 15 this year.

The news comes just weeks after First Bus revealed proposals to reduce their current services in Clackmannanshire.

In the meantime, Stagecoach have set a closing date of June 24 for anyone to have a say on their consultation.

A spokesperson for the company said: "The current service 8 is a commercial service, ie operated without local authority subsidy, and the fares collected are insufficient to cover the cost of operation. The busiest section of the route is between High Valleyfield and Dunfermline.

"Our proposal is for the service 8 to operate every 30 minutes between Dunfermline bus station, High Valleyfield and Culross. The section of route between Culross and Stirling would be withdrawn.

"For those using service 8 wholly within Clackmannanshire or Stirling, a choice of alternative services are available provided by either First or Mackies.

"Kincardine will continue to be served by the Glasgow express services so will still be linked to Dunfermline but no direct link will exist between High Valleyfield/Culross and Kincardine and there will be no service between Kincardine High Street and Clackmannan.

"The loss of the service linking West Fife and Stirling will be a disappointment to those who use it currently but the changing retail demand has seen use of the route decline and now become unsustainable."

To have your say on the Stagecoach consultation, click here.