Campaigners claim a new survey on the future tower blocks earmarked for regeneration suggests a majority of residents do not want to be rehoused to enable major works to take place.

Waltham Forest council is pushing ahead with a four-year project to refurbish Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers in Montague Road, Leytonstone, by 2022.

It involves building new flats in a block between the towers and selling some on the open market to contribute three quarters towards the £40 million scheme.

However this would see the number of council houses at the site reduced from 234 to 160.

Waltham Forest Trades Council (WFTC) has criticised the loss of social housing and disruption to residents who have to leave by early 2018.

The organisation visited the blocks in the two weeks up to Sunday to ask residents their views and said 34 of the 137 who responded supported the council's proposal.

The rest, it said, favoured the modernisation of existing flats without relocating tenants.

John Cryer, MP for Leyton and Wanstead, previously said he supported the council's scheme as few tenants had raised concerns with him.

However, in light of the survey's findings, he has pledged to write to the council to raise concerns.

Cryer said: “The ballot does alter my opinion, as I had previously heard from very few residents who had concerns about the council’s proposals.

“I have a good contact rate in the towers, as I knock on doors there at least twice a year and have helped a significant number of residents with casework, so I was surprised not to have heard more dissenting voices before now.

“However, it is now for the council to reflect on the residents’ views and respond.”

WFTC's Ben Morris said the results showed the council's consultation with residents, which found significant support for the scheme, was flawed.

He said: “A simple way to settle this matter would be for the council to commission an independent ballot, as recommended by the Greater London Authority Housing Committee."

A Waltham Forest council spokesman said the council had held numerous meetings to consult with residents over the last two years.

He insisted the project is vital as many tenants live in over-crowded conditions and new homes will be built elsewhere.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

What the refurbished towers will look like when completed around 2022.