Home / Arts and Entertainment / Ribbons Replace Love Locks on Bristol Bridge
Ribbons Replace Love Locks on Bristol Bridge
31 Mar
Summary
- Red ribbons now adorn Pero's Bridge, replacing removed love locks.
- The love locks, weighing three tonnes, were removed last summer.
- Council lacks funds for a sculpture to memorialize the locks.
Red ribbons have recently been tied to Pero's Bridge in Bristol Harbour, taking the place of thousands of love locks that once adorned the structure. Bristol City Council began removing the heavy locks, which collectively weighed three tonnes, last summer. The bridge, opened in 1999, requires structural works.
The council is unaware of who is attaching the ribbons but has stated there are no immediate concerns as long as they do not impede bridge inspections or operations. This follows a similar removal of locks about ten years ago, which did not deter couples from adding new ones.
An initial plan to create a sculpture memorializing the romantic gestures has been stalled due to a lack of funds. Despite structural work costs being lower than anticipated, the council announced in January that public artwork funding is unavailable. Selling the locks as scrap metal is being considered as a way to potentially fund a sculpture. Council members have acknowledged public upset over the lock removal, and the Harbour Authority is monitoring the ribbon situation.
