Plans to widen an A40 bottleneck have been described as "laughable" as congestion will never be reduced there while houses continue to be built in the Forest of Dean.
A petition has been launched to put pressure on county highways chiefs to push for the removal of hatch markings which merge rush-hour traffic heading to Gloucester into one lane near Highnam Lodge.
Independent councillor Ian Whitburn said the only effective solution to cut congestion at the junction would be to build a park and ride, create more jobs in the Forest to prevent people commuting away from the district and improve bus services.
He said: "Where is the park and ride service that would relieve congestion? What is the county council doing to create more employment opportunities in the Forest of Dean so people haven't got to commute to Gloucester and beyond to find work?
"Why are we building new houses in the Forest of Dean when we have no new job opportunities as this is just making the situation worse.
"Address these problems, and we might solve the congestion."
Conservative councillor Brian Robinson, deputy leader of Forest of Dean District Council, wants Gloucestershire County Council to remove the markings. He said: "The issue of the hatch markings at Highnam Lodge on the A40 has been a long-running annoyance to motorists in the Forest. For the sake of one residence, one of the most important and frequently congested roads in our area is choked in half.
"This can only seriously exacerbate the jams and delays that already cause much concern to people from this area. We need action now to fix the problem."
Labour's Jackie Fraser described the bottleneck as "dreadful" at peak times but said removing the hatchings is a "red herring" and the key issue is the sheer amount of traffic that is trying to get through there. And Ukip's Malcolm Berry supports improved traffic flow which he said always leads to better employment opportunities.
Councillor Vernon Smith, county cabinet member for highways said: "I've received a letter from Councillor Brian Robinson about the hatch markings on the A40 at Highnam.
"I'm happy to look into the concerns he's raised and how we can improve journeys for those who commute from the Forest of Dean."
