The Government today announced a £263 million project to upgrade 29 miles of the A1 in the north of England to a three-lane motorway.

The existing dual carriageway sections to be upgraded are Bramham, West Yorkshire to Wetherby, Dishforth to Leeming, West Yorkshire and Leeming to Barton in North Yorkshire.

The sections are included in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) - major road schemes designed to cut congestion and improve road safety.

Construction work could start in 2006.

Advance work is already under way on two further TPI schemes totalling £258 million which will upgrade sections of the A1 between Ferrybridge and Hook Moor and Wetherby to Walshford, North Yorkshire.

These schemes combined with today's upgrade announcement bring the total investment for the A1 route in Yorkshire to more than £520 million.

When completed, the upgrade work will result in 60 miles of three-lane motorway standard road from Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire to Barton in North Yorkshire.

Announcing the upgrade in Leeds today, Minister for Transport John Spellar, said: ''I am pleased to be able to announce the inclusion of three sections within the Targeted Programme of Improvements.

''This is good news for motorists using this section of the A1 in North Yorkshire travelling between the south and Midlands to the north east and Scotland.

''The improvements will not only reduce accidents and delays but also congestion, and are likely to be welcomed by the business community in the north east and Yorkshire and Humber regions.'' Accident records show there were 583 personal injury accidents on the Bramham to Barton section in the five years up to 2000, almost one third of which resulted in fatal or serious injury.