A lack of signs warning of a low bridge over the railway in Caversham Road has attracted criticism after 15 incidents of vehicles following Sat Nav systems found themselves blocking traffic and having to perform a difficult U-turn.

Chris Branagan, spokesman for Reading Borough Council, said: "I refute suggestions that we'd forgotten about this bridge when we drew up the one way IDR plans which would have meant that high-sided lorries could no longer go through central Reading. It was all part of our plan to ensure gridlock and chaos so we could start congestion charging as soon as possible. Our comprehensive one way IDR signing strategy included changes to the signing on the approach to the Caversham Railway Bridges to make it clear that it was impassable. However, we are pleased that we are still able to use the signs we ordered in the light of the cancellation of that project."