Politicians have launched a scathing attack on Highways England proposed changes to an infamous traffic blackspot near Marlow, saying they are a “waste of money”.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead dismissed the three proposals put forward for upgrades to the A404 at Bisham roundabout, demanding it comes back with new ideas.

This week, councillors debated the plans exhibited to the public in June, with members supporting a motion from cabinet member for Highways and Transport Colin Rayner to reject the proposals.

Cllr Rayner said: “We do not like them. It is a waste of £8million of taxpayers’ money. It would not solve the problems, only the route between the motorways.

“We could think of better ways to spend it. We need a long term solution. We will have three years of disruption and then it wouldn’t be any better.”

Highways England presented three options to solve the traffic flow problems on the roundabout – one of the busiest non-motorway routes in the country.

Cllr Rayner said the council do not want traffic lights at the spot, echoing a move in 2012 when a proposal for full traffic light-controlled crossroads was opposed.

The outdated roundabout is a growing problem, with high traffic levels causing problems for people in Bisham village who say they take their life into their hands daily just to access it.

Stuart Miller, a spokesman for Highways England said: “We work closely with all the local authorities. From an engineering point of view we know that the designs will relieve congestion. These options have been looked at carefully.”

He added: “Local feedback is very important. We need people to take part in public consultations and they can suggest alternatives. No decision will be made until feedback from local people, businesses and politicians has been looked at.”

Cllr Rayner said the options were “plucked from the air” and claimed RBWM would do a better job if given the funding.

He said: “We will have three years of disruption and then it wouldn’t be any better.We could think of better ways to spend it. We need a long term solution.

“I use it (the roundabout) three times a week, what it really needs is an underpass from Bisham to Pinkneys Green.

“It is a rural area; we don’t want it to turn into a roundabout like High Wycombe (Handy Cross) that looks so industrial.”