THE first steps of a £225m project to upgrade the A1 in North Yorkshire have been taken.

Highways chiefs have appointed a firm of consultants to begin preparatory work on making the road a three-lane motorway between Dishforth and Barton.

The long-awaited proposals are aimed at reducing congestion, enhancing journey times and improving the safety record of the route.

New junctions are proposed at Baldersby, Leeming and Catterick, with improvements to the junctions at Scotch Corner and Barton.

David Brindle, Highways Agency project manager for the scheme, said it would be working extensively with consultants Atkins over the proposals.

"Planning issues, environmental assessments and ensuring value for money will be our three key priorities," he said.

"The work will also include analysis of present and future traffic flows on this section of the A1 and a detailed review of previous proposals for upgrading the route which date back to 1991."

The agency is looking at ways of speeding up the scheme, including the possibility of appointing a contractor early in the design process.

The contractor would prepare draft orders and an environmental statement based on his design. Public exhibitions will be held to show the proposals and if any objections remain outstanding it is likely that there would be a public inquiry.

The announcement of the preferred route for the upgraded 38 km stretch of road from Dishforth to Barton was included in a £263m package of measures to improve the A1 announced by Transport Secretary, John Spellar, in June.

Construction of the Dishforth to Barton section is likely to begin in 2007 and be completed three years later.