Latest news with #PeroBridge
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Love locks' from Bristol bridge may be put into art space
Artists could be involved in creating a permanent space for so-called 'love locks' which are being cut off a bridge, a council has are currently removing the padlocks - attached to Pero's Bridge in Bristol as a romantic gesture - over fears they are too heavy as they reportedly weigh up to three City Council said the removed padlocks are being kept in storage while it "explores the possibility of involving artists in the creation of a permanent structure to house the locks".The council added the bridge may need to close for "short inspection periods" to remove "more difficult locks" , but expects the work to finish by the middle of September. Couples had attached thousands of padlocks to the bridge - which is named after Pero Jones who was enslaved in Bristol in the 18th Century - many with their initials Bridge opened in 1999 and links Queen Square and Millennium Square, and work to remove the padlocks started on Monday. Bristol city councillor Andrew Brown, chair of the harbour committees, said the work is being done to "prevent overloading" of the bridge."Our operational staff are fitting this work in around their regular duties, and plan to remove the majority of locks using bolt croppers to minimise any damage and disruption, keeping the bridge open for as long as possible," he said."This approach means we expect work to continue into mid-September."Towards the end of the works, when the final, more difficult to remove locks will be cut away using an angle grinder, the bridge may need to be closed for short inspection periods. "We recognise the sentimental value of these locks and the importance of providing a place where people can still visit their lock to remember the reasons they attached it to the bridge."
BBC News
26-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hundreds of 'love locks' to be removed from Pero's Bridge
Padlocks left on a city centre footbridge as a romantic gesture are to be removed due to fears they are too is estimated the so-called love locks on Pero's Bridge in Bristol weigh up to three tonnes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service City Council has said it will remove the padlocks before Bristol Harbour Festival, which is due to take place in mid-July."The team is working on a solution where we can place the locks in a nearby structure of some sort," said the council's management of place director Patsy Mellor. Ms Mellor explained a 'no lift' notice has been issued for Pero's Bridge due to the weight of the locks. It means the council will not raise the bridge to enable boats to pass through. The council cleared the bridge of padlocks about a decade ago, but people attached new ones and it was covered again within a few years. Pero's Bridge opened in 1999 and links Queen Square and Millennium Square. It was named after Pero Jones, who was enslaved in Bristol in the 18th 2023, campaigners launched a bid to remove the locks, saying they jarred with the name commemorating a slave.
