A popular children's playground which is frequently flooded and in need of repair has not been neglected, Redbridge Council has said. 

The park playground, opposite Churchfields Infant and Junior School in South Woodford, is used by hundreds of children every week but parents are calling for a complete overhaul. 

A petition, started by mother-of-two Nicola Wyndham, 42, of Abbottford Garden in Woodford Green, and signed by 800 people, was handed in at the full council meeting last night. 

Parents claim the playground, built over a decade ago using Big Lottery funds, has been neglected by the council.  

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

The park was last refurbished in 2009 but equipment and surfaces have since fallen into disrepair with potholes, cracked paint and a defunct roundabout. 

Liberal Democrat councillor for Church End ward, Hugh Cleaver, handed in the petition. 

He said: "The drainage is a big issue. It is always met and muddy. 

"There has been no investment for quite a while and it is starting to show."

Redbridge Council has said repairs are on the way. 

A spokesman said: "Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure works hard to ensure that the borough’s play facilities are up to a good standard and we reject the notion that this area is neglected. 

"While some of the equipment in the play area is very popular and therefore has become worn since that time, it has passed independent inspections to ensure that it is fully safe and fit for purpose. 

"We accept that the roundabout has been out of action lately and we are soon to invest £1,000 to repair it.

"We understand that the area is vulnerable to waterlogging due to its natural landscape and land drains have been installed at the site in past years to help alleviate this.

"However we are exploring other options to see if there are ways we can further reduce this issue." 

The council says the roundabout will be fixed in the next few weeks.