An "iconic" pedestrian bridge in Cardiff has been demolished despite fears it could put the lives of children and the elderly at risk.
Campaigners say the bridge over Llanedeyrn Drive, Llanedeyrn, was the only safe crossing for the elderly, schoolchildren and the disabled to cross the road - and launched a petition calling for it to stay.
However the structure has been demolished by Cardiff Council and will be replaced with two zebra crossings.
Ulf Dahlstrom, who started the petition , said: "When there's a fatality or a serious accident out there all we can say is 'this is what we predicted would happen and you didn't listen'.
"It's a sad day when people don't look after the safety of the residents."
The bridge, which featured in an episode of Doctor Who, was removed last weekend as part of the Maelfa Shopping Centre redevelopment.
The first phase, for nine new shops, has been completed while the second phase of work - to build 54 new affordable homes on the site - is now underway.
Plans have also been revealed for a new NHS Wellbeing Centre which would replace the GP surgery currently within the Llanedeyrn Health Centre and offer out-patient health services.
There are also plans for older person's accommodation in the third phase of the redevelopment, but a planning application has not yet been submitted.
Councillor Frank Jacobsen, who represents the area, said: "I feel the safety of Llanedeyrn is going to be compromised. Llanedeyrn was built on safety in the 1970s but now the safety features have been taken away from our area.
"It's a matter of time before an accident or, god forbid, a fatality will occur in the road.
"It's taking the heart out of Llanedeyrn. It's an iconic feature."
Cardiff Council insisted it took road safety very seriously.
A council spokeswoman said: “It was always the intention to remove the bridge, which was built to serve the original Maelfa shopping centre, but no longer provides direct access to the new development.
“Two new zebra crossings provide direct access to the new shops and wider community facilities in the area and residents have had several months to adjust to the new layout.
"Further road safety audits will be carried out to assess the new arrangements once the new bus shelter has been installed.”
