Derbyshire County Council has decided to remove thousands of love locks from Weir Bridge in the Peak District. The bridge has become known as “Love Lock Bridge” over the years as padlocks were placed by couples and individuals as a symbol of their love. Councillor Charlotte Cupit, who is cabinet member for highways assets and transport, explained that the locks will be melted down, and railings will be changed to prevent more locks being attached. This has saddened many people, including Sara Allen, whose husband Jamie attached a love lock before he passed away from pancreatic cancer.
The footbridge over the River Wye, built around 25 years ago, first saw locks appear in 2012, as the global trend for love locks spread. Soon enough, the bridge became so full that new locks could only be added by fastening them to existing ones. People like Mike Hall and his wife Carol left their original padlock in 2014, but were unable to find it again as the railings were so full. However, Mike was able to find the lock again after completing a 1,000-mile walk on their 39th wedding anniversary, seven years after they placed it. Some people find the love locks an eyesore and a safety hazard, however, as the combination of crowds and locks make the bridge inaccessible to some, and also creates a risk of grazes and cuts from protruding locks.
Save the Love Locks at Bakewell campaign group has been actively campaigning to find an alternative place for the love locks to be moved to, encouraging the council to preserve this monument, but Councillor Cupit confirmed that the council does not own any suitable land for the locks to be moved to. Bakewell town councillor Paul Morgans acknowledges that the locks divide opinions, but believes they contribute a lot to the local economy. As a result, Richard Young, founder of the Save the Love Locks at Bakewell campaign, continues to search for alternative places for the locks to be moved to.
The council has requested that all locks be removed before the 16th of September, as they begin the maintenance work on the bridge. Many people have reached out to express their emotions on social media, hoping for a resolution that will keep the
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