Transport for London has been slammed for installing a giant TARDIS-like private toilet on a leafy residential street - that has been dubbed the 'Turdis.' The cubicle forms part of Transport for London's (TfL) plan to 'improve conditions for drivers', and they plan on installing 40 more across the capital - despite locals raging at the obtrusive structures.

The locked toilets are only for the use of bus drivers who are caught short in the middle of a journey - even though there are plenty of other public toilets available.

Tfl placed the toilet in a residential area in Chigwell, Essex - where the average asking price for a house is £673,000.

Former residents include businessman Alan Sugar, from The Apprentice, and England football legend Sir Bobby Moore.

Leafy Chigwell is also a popular hangout spot for footballers and members of reality TV show The Only Way is Essex.

An identical toilet was removed earlier this month in Petts Wood, south east London, after the cubicle kicked up a stink with residents.

Hundreds of objectors signed a petition against the drivers' toilet - which quickly became known among residents as the 'Turdis'.

Chigwell locals were shocked to discover the silver permanent looBU on their street, with some commenting on its resemblance to the Dr Who phone box.

One resident, 66, said the 'eyesore' toilet caused her and neighbours a 'fair deal of confusion' after it 'suddenly appeared overnight'.

She said: "I think it should be removed, the first time I saw it I wasn't sure what it was - it's ugly and doesn't do much for the area.

"I know the W14 bus stops there - the drivers stop for 20 minutes - I'm not sure where they went before, as there's no local cafe.

"The council didn't tell me anything, I'm not the only one that's fuming over this, we want to see it removed as soon as possible."

Concerns over anti-social behaviour began circulating after locals claimed the toilet can only be opened with a special access key.

Some pointed out that the toilet could drive down house prices - with the brightly coloured standing out in the residential area.

Bobbi Curtis, a resident of 16 years, blasted the decision to 'leave a big chrome toilet' on 'her front doorstep'.

The 60-year-old said: "We was told it will be unobtrusive - a man from Tfl said 'you won't even notice that it's there'.

"He told my husband it was hardly going to be noticeable and not to worry about it.

"Then I got a letter though the door, it had no phone number on it, so I had to ring the council.

"I'm not that happy about it - they could have made it a bit more low key, it's a big silver shed - I want it removed.

"For years and years it hasn't been necessary - why do they need it all of a sudden, the drivers only stop for 20 minutes.

"There is a pub just across the green, but I've seen drivers go to the toilet opposite my house, something needs to happened - but not like this."

Another neighbour, 50, said he understands why the toilet 'had to be included', as it stops 'drivers using the field at night'.

He said: "It makes sense for the drivers, what else can they do - they have to go somewhere, I don't mind it being there in truth."

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: "This toilet was installed by TfL for its bus drivers.

"They are within their legal rights to do this, but we would normally expect them to consult with residents first.

"We are surprised this hasn't been done and recognise residents' concerns about the location of the toilet we will be asking TfL to move the location."

A Tfl spokesman said: "Toilets like these are vital to ensure that conditions for bus drivers are improved and distractions that can increase road danger are minimised.

"This toilet is part of a programme to put bus driver toilets where they were lacking, as most routes had access to them.

"There are many other loos for drivers across London though that will have been there for years.

"This programme is to install 42 loos, and we've installed around 20-odd so far."

Nick Fairholme, director of project and programme delivery at TfL, said: "We try to be mindful of residents when we install these important facilities and we will meet the local community to discuss their concerns."