Bridge reopens after love locks removed

The bridge can now be used again following repair work

A bridge in the Peak District has reopened after its famous love locks were removed.

Derbyshire County Council said it needed to remove the padlocks from Weir Bridge in Bakewell to "carry out repairs and general refurbishment".

The authority handed the locks, which featured names added by people in the area for sentimental reasons, to the Save the Love Locks group, which moved them to a new permanent spot at nearby Thornbridge Hall.

Signs have now been added tp the bridge warning people that any locks attached to the newly renovated structure will be removed.

The council said it needed to remove the love locks for a "major repair and maintenance programme"

Charlotte Cupit, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways assets and transport, said: "We're pleased to be able to re-open Weir bridge after the essential maintenance work we carried out.

"We do need to go back and do a few bits of finishing off, but we can do these while still keeping the bridge open."

Richard Young, founder of the Save the Love Locks group, urged people to honour the council's request to not place love locks on the bridge after its reopening.

"The bridge was ready for a revamp and looks better for it after 25 years but I feel it looks naked with no character at all", said Mr Young.

"We have worked closely with the council and they allowed us to save and move the locks to Thornbridge Hall and as a group I hope we can honour their request."