Roadworks on a major High Wycombe roundabout could be an opportunity to improve signage amid fears from the town mayor that it is an “accident waiting to happen”.

Handy Cross roundabout and all its exits will be closed for at least three weekends – starting from this Friday – so Highways England can carry out work like resurfacing and replacing traffic signals and road markings.

However, High Wycombe mayor Cllr Brian Pearce says the work should include improved signage around the Wycombe Road exit to Marlow Bottom because of a number of “near-misses” with traffic in the wrong lane.

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press, he said: “I have sent a couple of letters to Highways England over the years regarding the roundabout.

“If you are going down the A404 towards Marlow, you use lane one and two, to the M40 its lane three but there is confusion about what lane you need to be in for Marlow Bottom.

“I have had some very near-misses there – I have seen buses, lorries and cars all cut in to the lane because they don’t know which one they are supposed to be in. It is an accident waiting to happen.”

Cllr Pearce says he hopes Highways England will take the opportunity of the weekend closures to add more signs showing drivers which lane to be in.

He added: “Handy Cross is one of the most complicated roundabouts in the country. There are so many people who aren’t sure where they are going, maybe because they are new to the area, and some people who cut in just for the sake of getting a few cars ahead.

“It is a worry every time you drive round the roundabout.”

The mayor says he has also been speaking to major stores in the area like John Lewis, Next and ASDA, and commented that the businesses are “concerned” about the impact of the closures on takings.

He said: “Weekends are an important time for shops. Obviously the work has to be done but they rely on the weekends for trade so they are concerned to say the least.”

A spokesman for both John Lewis and Next did not wish to comment.

Meanwhile, drivers are being urged to plan ahead for the resurfacing work by Highways England.

The first weekend closure takes place from 9pm Friday, February 16 to 5am on Monday, February 19.

Highways England route sponsor John Henderson said: “This is the most significant renewal work that has been carried out at Handy Cross since it was redesigned in 2006. Around 500 million journeys have been made through the junction since then.

“This vital work will fully resurface the roundabout to ensure it remains in a safe condition and to minimise the risk of unplanned maintenance in future.

“We understand there will be disruption during these closures, and we advise road users to plan their journeys and leave extra time if possible if using this area over the next three weekends.”