It is hoped a one-way system will ease congestion on the IDR

Planners in Reading, Berkshire, want to make its inner distribution road (IDR) a one-way route to ease congestion.

Their plans would also see the flyover at the Oracle shopping centre car park roundabout demolished and bring an end to the regular traffic gridlock there.

Reading borough councillors are to discuss the plans on 27 September.

The opportunity to sweep away some of the worst mistakes of 1960s planning is a massive opportunity Councillor John Howarth

Councillor John Howarth, the council's transport boss, said: "The road was designed in the 1950s and was never intended to cope with the current level of development in Reading and certainly won't cope in the future.

"I said two years ago that the IDR just didn't work any longer and that doing nothing about Reading's congestion problems was not an option."

"The opportunity to sweep away some of the worst mistakes of 1960s planning is a massive opportunity."

The plans were first tabled in December 2002 as part of the council's transport strategy.

Computer models

Since then, a survey has shown that, of 1,800 people asked, 1,102 were in favour of the idea.

Computer modelling studies of the effects a one-way route would have have also been studied.

While the council concedes that a small number of junctions would see worse congestion, they say the overall impact would be positive.

The scheme would also allow them to plant up to 1,000 new trees around the new-look road.

They claim it would also "reconnect" parts of Reading cut off from the town centre by the IDR.

If the plan is given official backing, the public will have a chance to have their say on more detailed proposals.