A vital footway across the River Sid may have to close if cliff erosion in the area worsens, according to County Hall.

Alma Bridge, which serves as an important link for residents living east of the River Sid, was damaged in 2012 and replaced by a temporary scaffold structure.

Devon County Council ultimately plans to rebuild the bridge further upstream, but this week said it was considering ‘a number of options’ in case the existing crossing becomes unsafe.

The authority is now preparing to undertake survey work in the area around the crossing to explore erosion of the nearby cliffs.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s cabinet member for highways and flood prevention, said: “DCC is continuing to monitor the area around Alma Bridge to ensure that the structure continues to be safe to use and the additional survey work will help determine when the bridge may eventually have to close.

“The county council remains committed to maintaining a link to the coast path and I’m encouraged to see that options are being explored.

“It is important that we work with all organisations to provide a safe, long-term river crossing, and any planned investment has to be sustainable for the long term as well as being a good use of taxpayers’ money.”