The decision to reject a petition calling for a complete overhaul of a “neglected” and frequently flooded children's playground could be overturned after an appeal.

The park playground, opposite Churchfields Infant and Junior School in South Woodford, is used by hundreds of children every week.

A petition, started by mother-of-two Nicola Wyndham, 43, of Abbotsford Garden in Woodford Green, and signed by 800 people, was handed in at the full council meeting in November.

But Redbridge council rejected claims that it was neglected, saying an inspection had found the site was “fully safe and fit for purpose”. 

It said the area was vulnerable to waterlogging due to the natural incline in the landscape but it would not be possible to fund any extra drainage.

Petitioners not satisfied with the response are calling for a review of this rejection and an independent committee will rule on this next week.

They are calling on investment to make the surface weather proof, consider an expansion of the park, repair and maintain equipment, and implement a drainage system.

Its incline position and grass surfacing means that every time it rains, the park becomes flooded. 

It was last refurbished in 2009 but equipment and surfaces have since fallen into disrepair with potholes and cracked paint. 

The council’s Overview Committee will decide whether to refer the petition back to the full council in a meeting on Monday evening at Redbridge town hall in Ilford.