The merits of extending the dual carriageway section of the A92 through north east Fife — branded one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland — has divided opinion among MSPs.

A debate in the Scottish Parliament initiated by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Ted Brocklebank sought support to dual the A92 from Glenrothes to the Melville Lodge roundabout and upgrade the Parbroath junction.

But North East Fife MSP, Iain Smith, argued that extending the dual carriageway was not necessarily the best solution to improving safety.

Mr Brocklebank said there had been more than 600 accidents on the A92 in the last five years.

He pointed out that the Parbroath junction was the only major intersection between Kirkcaldy and Dundee without a roundabout.

The Conservative MSP said: "We believe that in the short-term, dualling should continue beyond Glenrothes to the Melville Lodge junction where the A92 crosses the A91.

"This is only an additional five miles beyond Glenrothes, by-passing the villages of Freuchie and Ladybank, but accident statistics show it is one of the most dangerous stretches of the whole A92."

Mr Brocklebank later told the Fife Herald he had received a number of letters from Ladybank and Freuchie residents who felt the safety measures already introduced had not solved the problems encountered on that section of the road.

He noted the forthcoming Glenrothes by-election would focus attention on upgrading the A92 section near the town.

"Voters in north east Fife will doubtless take their own view if parties are prepared to commit only to the Glenrothes section, to coincide with the by-election," he told MSPs.

However, Mr Smith called on the Scottish Government to finish implementing the Route Accident Reduction Plan, saying it would improve the A92 through north east Fife more than extending the dual carriageway from New Inn to Melville Lodge.

"I am sure that the residents of Freuchie and Ladybank whose homes would probably have to be demolished to allow for such a dualling would also be against this," he said.

Mr Smith cited the extension of the 40mph speed limit at Freuchie, improved signing, street lighting and vehicle activated warning signs at accident black spots as measures that had helped to reduce accidents.

He added: "In my view the priority for the A92 in north east Fife is not more dual carriageway, but completing the road safety improvements that I referred to earlier."

Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor, Donald Lothian, this week also questioned the logic of an A92 dual carriageway through north east Fife.

""It may well be that consideration should be given to dualling the A92 between New Inn roundabout and Melville Lodge roundabout, but I am unaware of any great local desire to do so.

"Furthermore I cannot see an obvious route for a dual carriageway at Freuchie."

He went on: "There is no point suggesting a dual carriageway unless it is technically possible for one to be constructed.

"It would appear to be either pie in the sky from the Tories, or a huge flyover in the sky."