THE footbridge on the public bridleway crossing the River Swincombe, near Hexworthy, has been condemned and removed after considerable damage following storms and bad weather earlier this year.

Inspections by the Dartmoor National Park Ranger Service and Devon County Council bridge engineers deemed Swincombe Bridge (SX 642 725) unsafe during the summer of 2014 and the structure was closed.

Subsequent inspections have seen deterioration in the structure and it has now been condemned and removed by the DNPA Ranger Service.

Dartmoor National Park Authority is now seeking funding to replace the footbridge as a priority. However, it is unlikely to be replaced before early 2015 due to ground and river conditions.

Crossing the River Swincombe is still possible when water levels allow using the fording point or the stepping stones with care — the public bridlepath has not been closed. At times of high rainfall seek an alternative, legal route across the river.