Heartbreak as dozens of engraved padlocks positioned by lovers are lower off an iconic suspension bridge

Dozens of engraved padlocks placed by lovers have been cut off an iconic suspension bridge in a move that has sparked heartbreak among local couples.  

For years, a pretty bridge in the Conwy countryside, north Wales, was the place to go for those in relationships wanting to seal their lifelong commitment to each other.

But this week, residents were left stunned when a number of love locks were removed from Gower’s Bridge over the river Conwy near Llanrwst. 

Dozens had been chopped off without warning, leaving some people bereft, while others have demanded theirs be returned. 

One woman, from Llandudno, said: ‘It’s such a shame. My partner proposed to me last year and we had a lovely one put on (the bridge). We even visited it on Christmas Day.’

Gower’s Bridge, a footbridge built in 1947 for just £1,500, had just 40 padlocks attached to it in 2018 but many more have been added since.

But the number or weight of the locks was not the main issue behind the removal, with Conwy Council revealing: ‘We removed some padlocks recently from Gower’s Bridge because they were causing the mesh (that they were fixed to) to rust. 

‘We realise that attaching padlocks is seen as a romantic gesture but it can cause harm.

Dozens of love locks have been chopped off without warning, leaving some people bereft, while others have demanded theirs be returned

Residents were left stunned when a number of love locks were removed from Gower’s Bridge over the river Conwy near Llanrwst

The bridge, which has been called a ‘hidden gem’ for walkers, now appears to have lost its sparkle among locals deprived of their love locks

‘Unfortunately, there have been examples at tourist destinations around the world where such padlocks have compromised the safety and durability of much-loved bridges and structures.’

The bridge, which has been called a ‘hidden gem’ for walkers, now appears to have lost its sparkle among locals deprived of their love locks. 

On social media, a Llanrwst woman wrote: ‘Does anyone know who did this? We would like our lock back as it meant a lot to us. 

‘It’s disappointing that this wasn’t considered before these locks were removed without warning.’

Conwy Council has not indicated what became of the removed locks.

Other local authorities have scrapped them or had them melted down. 

This was Derbyshire Council’s intention when it planned to cut 40,000 locks from the Weir footbridge in Bakewell last year.

Following a public outcry, couples were given the chance to saw off their locks in September 2024. 

The rest were transferred to a ‘forever home’ at nearby Grade II-listed Thornbridge Hall and are currently being to re-threaded onto a new railing with 288 wires for a grand unveiling – on Valentines Day.   

Love locks are padlocks typically engraved with a couple’s name and the key is often tossed away as a gesture of eternal love. 

The tradition can be traced to the 2006 best-selling Italian novel Ho Voglia di Te (‘I Want You’) in which two sweethearts attach a love lock to Rome’s Ponte Milvio bridge.

Some bridges around the world have been left heaving with padlocks fixed to fencing and railings. 

Most famous of them all, for a while, was Pont des Arts over the River Seine in Paris.

After structural weakening was identified on the bridge, the padlocks were removed and the practice banned. 

It was estimated, conservatively, that the padlocks added 28 tonnes to the bridge’s load.