CONCERNS have been raised about features of the proposed A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire.

Council planners said the £320m scheme to make the dual carriageway between Dishforth and Barton into a three-lane motorway could increase traffic on minor roads and create noise pollution.

Although officers from Richmondshire District Council are urging members to give support to the project, they have stressed the authority may wish to contest some features of the scheme.

Issues raised by planning and development unit manager, Patrick Earle, after consultation with ward members and colleagues at the county council, include:

* Concern over traffic management at Tunstall Road, between Catterick Village and Tunstall, and at Catterick Bridge.

* Fears of noise pollution and the visual impact of measures to reduce noise pollution at Brompton-on-Swale.

* Concern about traffic management at the Scotch Corner junction and access to the Scotch Corner Hotel.

* Lack of a local access road from Scotch Corner to Barton could create additional traffic in Middleton Tyas and Melsonby.

In a report, ahead of a council meeting on Tuesday, Mr Earle said: "Members may wish at the outset to express broad support for the upgrading, which is clearly in the interests of the travelling public who cross the district, and in the interests of the economy of the North and North-East of England - with which this district is inextricably linked."

But he added: "This support is not uncritical and there may be issues which the council would wish to contest through to a public inquiry."

An inquiry into the scheme will be held in October next year.

Construction is expected to start in April 2008 and be completed by April 2011.

Concerns have also been expressed about the upgrade further south.

Villagers in Leeming, near Bedale, are worried the Highways Agency is proposing to remove Cowfold bridge, between Leeming and Londonderry.

Members of Masham Parish Council fear the town could lose out on tourism when two A1 exits near the town are removed.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh has suggested local people form committees and action groups to press their case with the agency.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said comments received would assist in the further development of the scheme and would be given full consideration in the design process.