Plans to turn Reading's IDR into a one way system could yet stall

Work to convert the Inner Distribution Road (IDR) into an anti-clockwise route was due to start later this month.

But as revealed by BBC News, Wokingham District Council planned a legal bid to stop the �9m scheme going ahead.

It has now lodged an application for a judicial review after talks with Reading Borough Council broke down.

Wokingham District Council (WDC) spokeswoman Karen Jordan said: "We have applied to the court for permission to challenge the Reading decision."

RBC will continue with its efforts to resolve this matter with WDC Statement Reading Borough Council

The two council's have been in discussions over the IDR since the scheme was given the green light by Reading's councillors last September.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) said the plan was essential to ease congestion on the IDR.

But Councillor Frank Browne, the leader of Wokingham council, claimed the traffic model used to justify the scheme was "flawed".

He said he was concerned about knock-on congestion for Wokingham residents.

Proposal rejected

In a statement, a spokesman for Reading council said it had received a letter from solicitors acting for Wokingham council on 8 December, 2006, advising that it wanted a judicial review.

"The Council responded on 19 December with a proposal, which it was hoped would have fully addressed WDC's concerns," said the spokesman.

"However, WDC has decided to proceed with its application for a judicial review, which was served on the council's legal advisers on 21 December, 2006."