First love locks removed from landmark Bakewell bridge

The first love locks have been removed from a landmark bridge in the Peak District – after a council agreed to give them to a campaign group.

Derbyshire County Council said it needed to remove the padlocks from Weir Bridge in Bakewell to do repair work.

It originally intended to melt the locks down, but agreed to give them to Save the Love Locks at Bakewell following a public outcry.

Campaigner Mike Hall, who placed a lock on the bridge with his late wife, helped contractors start removing the locks on Tuesday.

“It will take a few days to do this but we’ve started and that’s the main thing,” said Mr Hall.

“Yes it’s a bit of a sad day because the locks are coming off, but it’s a good day because Save the Love Locks then get hold of the custody of them and we can look after them.

“So it’s a good day, albeit a bit sad as well.”

The wires of the bridge are being cut so that the locks will slide off.

They are then being put in bags so they can be transported to Thornbridge Hall, a nearby stately home.

They will be displayed there so people like Mr Hall can visit to remember their loved ones.

The council previously said it had tried to find “alternative options” to display the locks in Bakewell, but “unfortunately no site has been identified”.

The owners of Thornbridge Hall agreed to adopt the locks after being contacted by Richard Young from the campaign group.

Weir Bridge is due to be closed until 7 October while it is refurbished.

As part of the work, the council intends to change the design of the bridge so that people will not be able to attach locks to it in future.

It said this was necessary for public safety, as there had been reports of people injuring themselves on the locks.

The eventual plan is to create a structure at Thornbridge Hall where the love locks can be attached, which will be next to the cafe so people do not have to pay an entry fee.

It will also be near a free car park, and people can access the estate by foot or bike when they are doing the Monsal Trail.