A Fife MSP has secured a pledge from the Scottish Government that it will look again at the need to shut the Kincardine Bridge for a year for refurbishment.

The crossing is due to close next spring for an overhaul following the completion of the new bridge, or Upper Forth Crossing, at Kincardine later this year.

John Park, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, secured a debate at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday night during which he urged the Government to think again.

Earlier this week Mr Park warned Kincardine could once again find itself at the epicentre of massive daily traffic jams as vehicles struggle to cross the Forth.

For years Kincardine suffered one of the worst pollution counts in Scotland with traffic passing through the heart of the village to reach the bridge.

Following a lengthy campaign by villagers and local politicians a bypass was finally opened in 2004, linking the bridge with the A985 to Rosyth and the M90.

If full closure takes place as planned by Government agency Transport Scotland, Mr Park believes Kincardine and surrounding communities will suffer.

He said traffic heading to and from the A985 would have to head through Kincardine to reach the Upper Forth Crossing.

He warned the situation could become critical when high winds or accidents lead to vehicles being barred from the Forth Road Bridge.

Transport Scotland said on Wednesday Kincardine Bridge would be closed for a year for essential repairs.

However, an alternative to full closure could yet be found.

Mr Park said yesterday he was pleased with the debate and had received cross-party support.

The MSP pressed Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson on a number of issues, asking, “What plans has the Scottish Government put in place to mitigate the impact of the full closure of the bridge?

“What would that mean for the routes in the surrounding area?

“Is there any alternative to full closure of the existing Kincardine Bridge when the Upper Forth Crossing opens?”

He added, “Any such alternative would be beneficial for everyone concerned and I would certainly support that.

“Could any other traffic-calming measures be introduced on the A907, bearing in mind that villages such as Carnock and Blairhall have primary schools?”

Mr Stevenson replied, “All the work on the Upper Forth should be completed by 2010, some two years from now, which is encouraging.

“We are preparing a route action plan for the A985 that will look at a series of short, medium and long-term improvements that will accommodate not only bridge traffic, but east-west movements.

“That study will be completed shortly.

“It is estimated that the existing bridge will be closed for 18 months, a number of members have referred to that, but I hope that it will be closed for a somewhat shorter period.

“We will need to examine that as planning goes forward.

“I will engage with officials to consider whether we can keep one lane open, although I am not optimistic that that option is available to us, as there are considerable engineering difficulties with the existing structure, which could be exacerbated if we put traffic on one side of it.

“I am, however, open to considering that further.”

Community councillors from west Fife communities including Blairhall and Oakley, which could both be affected by the closure, were in the public gallery to witness the debate.

West Fife and Coastal Villages Councillor Bobby Clelland was also there.