MORE than a hundred people have signed a petition to stop Thames Water building a giant electrical control box outside their homes.

Residents in Monkhams Lane, Woodford Green, launched the campaign after the utility firm submitted plans to erect the 7ft tall structure on a popular meadow.

The box is part of the company's work to prevent sewer water running into the River Roding during heavy downpours, but campaigners claim it would be a hazard for youngsters playing on the field and restrict the view of motorists pulling into the street.

Redbridge Council, which owns the land, advised the company to amend its original application because of concerns about the inclusion of a concrete plinth as part of the design.

The firm has since submitted a revised application.

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We currently have combined sewer overflows that discharge into the River Roding.

Although mostly surface water, during heavy rainfall this does contain sewerage.

"At the request of the Environment Agency to reduce pollution and protect the river, we are planning to install screens on three Combined Sewer Overflows to filter anything that may otherwise flow into the river including litter.

"The screens will require an electric kiosk in order to operate.

On 8 May, we submitted a planning application to Redbridge Council to construct a kiosk.

"As part of the application, we submitted a visibility report, which shows the kiosk, would not affect driver's vision.

"The kiosk will not affect the health and safety of local residents.

"If the planning application is successful, we will of course be talking to local residents in order to discuss how we can address their concerns".