Dozens of love locks have been removed from Gowers Bridge in Conwy, North Wales, leaving local couples heartbroken. The bridge, a romantic destination, saw its locks cut off without warning due to rusting concerns, prompting disappointment among many who cherished their tokens of love. Residents voiced their frustration, stressing the sentimental value of the locks, which symbolize eternal commitment. Conwy City Council acknowledged the potential harm the locks posed to the bridge, which is over 75 years old. The tradition of love locks, popularized by an Italian novel, has faced similar challenges in other locations worldwide due to safety concerns.
Dozens of carved padlocks placed by lovers have been cut off from an iconic suspension bridge, causing heartbreak between local couples.
This picturesque bridge in the North Wales countryside of Conwy has long been a destination for lovers looking to seal their lifelong commitment to each other.
But residents were left stunned this week when a number of love locks were removed from Gowers Bridge over the River Conwy near Llanrwst.
Dozens of people were cut off without warning, some losing their lives and others demanding their return.
One woman, from Llandudno, said: “It’s so disappointing.” Last year my partner proposed and I got a nice thing (a bridge). We also visited there on Christmas Day. ”
Gowers Bridge is a footbridge built in 1947 for just £1,500, and in 2018 only 40 padlocks were fitted, although more have since been added.
However, Conwy City Council revealed that the number or weight of the locks was not the main issue for their removal.: “We recently removed some padlocks from Gowers Bridge because they were rusting the mesh (to which they were secured).”
“Wearing a padlock is seen as a romantic act, but we recognize that it can be harmful.
Dozens of love locks have been cut off without warning, leaving some stranded and others demanding the return of their locks
Residents were left stunned when a number of love locks were removed from Gowers Bridge over the River Conwy near Llanrwst.
The bridge, which has been called a “hidden gem” for pedestrians, now appears to have lost its luster among locals who have been robbed of their love keys
“Unfortunately, there have been instances in tourist destinations around the world where such padlocks have compromised the safety and durability of beloved bridges and structures.”
The bridge, which has been called a “hidden gem” for pedestrians, now appears to have lost its luster among locals who have had their locks taken away.
The Llanrwst woman wrote on social media: “Does anyone know who did this?” We want the lock back because it meant so much to us.
“It is unfortunate that this was not considered before these locks were removed without warning.”
Conwy City Council has not said what happened to the sluice gates after they were removed.
Other municipalities threw them away or melted them down.
This was Derbyshire Council’s intention last year when it planned to cut 40,000 locks from the Weir footbridge in Bakewell.
Following public outcry, the couple was given the opportunity to postpone their marriage until September 2024.
The remainder has been moved to its “forever home” at nearby Grade II-listed Thornbridge Hall, and is currently being reattached to the new railing with 288 wires in preparation for a grand unveiling ceremony on Valentine’s Day. .
A lovelock is usually a padlock with the couple’s name engraved on it, and the key is often thrown away as a sign of eternal love.
This tradition dates back to the 2006 best-selling Italian novel Ho Voglia di Te (“I Want You”). In this novel, two lovers install a love lock on the Milvio Bridge in Rome.
On some bridges around the world, padlocks are left fixed to fences and railings.
The most famous of these was, for a time, the Pont des Arts, which spans the Seine in Paris.
After the structural weakening of the bridge was confirmed, the padlocks were removed and the action was prohibited.
A conservative estimate is that the padlocks added 28 tons to the bridge’s load.
