CALLS are being made for a dangerous footbridge in Dawlish to be removed.

The previously much-used bridge in Manor Gardens has been out of action and closed to the public for months due to safety concerns.

Now there are calls for action as people have been seen jumping over it despite the safety warnings.

In September, it was confirmed it would be replaced but as yet, it is still roped off.

Mayor and district councillor Rosie Dawson has explained that funding is not yet in place for its replacement.

She said the underneath of the bridge was discovered to be completely rotten.

She said: ‘The replacement will be metal as its longer lasting but it’s really costly and there is another bridge not far away.’

She said time was needed to find the cash to replace it, put together a design bridge and put the work out to tender.

She said she was regularly checking on progress with Teignbridge Council.

Regular park users have been calling for something to be done for many months.

They argue the bridge needs replacing as soon as possible.

Structural surveyors had discovered ‘significant’ safety concerns during the inspection due to the bearers underneath the bridge being found to be rotten.

The exact cost is not being made public as the work will be subject to a tendering process for contractors.

The ‘sad’ state of the bridge has been the subject of concerns by residents.

It was also described as a ‘blight on our green space’.

Manor Gardens is popular with walkers, dog walkers and is home to the state-of-the-art children’s play park which was opened last year.

Others have said the bridge is a ‘integral part of the layout of the park’ and should not be allowed to be removed.