If you don't want a frozen ATPL why don't you just do the IR exams instead.......
No one has given any timescales for the demise of the IMCR so I would still be doing it now. If nothing else it will sharpen your general flying skills and prepare you for a full IR in the future if you feel your path lies that way.
I did outline the proposals on a thread somewhere, the actual documents are not available for consumption on this website.