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Bridge maintenance leads to love locks removal

BBC A close-up of padlocks hanging from steel wires on a bridge over a river. The one in clear focus is red and heart shaped, with hearts etched in it. Others are gold with writing or hearts etched on. The padlock clips are rusty. BBC
Any unclaimed padlocks will be stored until the end of August, say the council

Padlocks left on a Worcester bridge are being removed so maintenance and cleaning work can be carried out.

Worcestershire County Council had urged people to remove their 'love locks' from Diglis Bridge before Wednesday.

The romantic trinkets have become a familiar sight on the bridge, mirroring a trend seen in other European cities.

Unclaimed locks would be put into storage until the end of August, stated the council.

A close up of part of a dirty white and scratched steel bridge structure, with three different small padlocks hanging from the steel wires running from it
The locks have become a familiar sight on Diglis Bridge

Their removal will allow the authority to carry out general maintenance and improve the bridge's appearance, including a full clean, said cabinet member Karl Perks.

"We understand the locks may be important to the people who placed them, so we're giving an opportunity for them to be collected before work begins," Perks added.

Unclaimed personal mementos removed from the bridge can be collected from the county council's reception at Wildwood, Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

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