The wooden bridge in Manor Gardens had been deemed unsafe following an inspection by Teignbridge Council engineers.
But the removal has been condemned as a ‘travesty’ by park users.
It had been out of action and closed to the public for a year due to safety concerns.
But now, the entire bridge, which spans a Right of Way, has been removed with no indication of if or when it may be replaced.
Its disappearance has sparked more anger among users of Manor Gardens who argue it is a Right of Way and that it had been built with a lifespan of 25 years, ‘maintenance free’, yet has only lasted about 10 years.
Teignbridge Council said the bridge had been found to
have come to the end of its life.
A spokesman said: ‘Following an inspection, engineers found it to be unsafe and coming to the end of its lifespan and needed to be removed.
‘The council is currently reviewing the viability of replacement options.’
Work took place to remove the bridge, which spans the Brook, last week.
Regular users of Manor Gardens have been angry that the bridge was closed off and are now even more incensed that it may not be replaced.
Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Rosie Dawson is equally angry at the move and started a petition for the bridge to be replaced.
Just six months ago, it had been confirmed the bridge would be replaced.
Structural surveyors had discovered ‘significant’ safety concerns during the inspection due to the bearers underneath the bridge being found to be rotten.
The petition says: ‘During an inspection by Teignbridge District Council in 2023, after a tree fell and caused damage, it was found the structure underneath the wooden bridge in the Manor Gardens, Dawlish, was unsafe.
‘Nearly a year on, and despite previous reassurances, the council have removed the old bridge and insinuated that a replacement is not financially viable. ‘This may constitute a Public Right Of Way given its historical use and TDC have a responsibility as such to maintain, protect and preserve it.
‘This bridge is used a lot by locals and is important.’
Cllr Dawson says she was assured the bridge would be replaced.
She said it did need to be removed as people ignored the barriers and continued to walk over it, despite notices.
But she says she is ‘annoyed’ that it is now being seen as ‘too expensive’ to replace.
Others have questioned whether removing the bridge without replacing it as a Right of Way is legal.