Запрет на «замки любви» на мосту в Ноттингеме нарушен: романтичные символы снова появляются на конструкции

Love locks reappear on Nottingham bridge after ban - and some want them back for good The sentimental padlocks were removed from the bridge in October Love locks have started reappearing on a Nottingham bridge more than a year after it was announced the sentimental padlocks would be removed over concerns they were weighing down the structure. Severn Trent has reminded the public not to place love locks along the Wilford Suspension Bridge, which connects The Meadows and West Bridgford over the River Trent. Those who have placed love locks along the historic bridge have been warned the romantic mementos will be removed. But some say the original decision to remove the padlocks has deprived the bridge of its former charm. This includes 56-year-old Cheri Leivers, who had once placed love locks at the bridge with her husband years before it become apparent the metal tokens were weighing the structure down. "If they are not there, it takes away from the bridge's character - I didn't know the love locks were going to be taken off," she said. "One day, we came cycling here and they just weren't there anymore. They do definitely add to a community spirit in the area." Mark Oldham, who has lived in Wilford since 2007, agreed and described the move to remove the padlocks as "petty". "It clearly is a sentimental thing for people who have lost somebody close to them and spent time with them here," the 62-year-old said. "As you walk along the river, all these benches have people's name on them. That's to remember people who would come here and have passed away and, you do think, 'what particular impact will the locks have on the bridge'." Love locks have now begun to reappear on the bridge, with all of the previous padlocks that once covered the historic structure removed last October. The Wilford Suspension Bridge was first built in 1906 and it is believed families and couples have been placing love locks on the Grade II-listed structure for decades. Whilst the bridge had become one of many across that had become synonymous with the locks - often placed by couples, friends and families as a symbol of lasting love - others are glad to have seen them go for good. "It's a private bridge, so if the people who own it don't want the love locks on it, that's how it is," said 50-year-old Jonathan Burley, who cycles across the bridge as part of his daily commute into work. "If people were doing that on my house, I'd probably remove them. I do understand the sentimental side but at the end of the day it's private property. "It's an important bridge because I cycle over it and lots of people use it and the bridge is there for everybody, not just the people putting love locks on it. "But if the owners have decided it's not a good idea then I don't think it's a good idea." Other users of the bridge were more direct, however, with 64-year-old Clyve describing the sentimental padlocks as "tacky". Whilst those who wanted to retrieve their love locks before the water supplier removed them were invited to do so, thousands were not claimed. Acknowledging how important the padlocks are to thousands of families and couples, Severn Trent is now working with architecture students at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to repurpose the romantic mementos. Nine designs have been shared with the public, who have the chance to share their thoughts until June 12, after which point the winning design will be picked by a panel. A Severn Trent spokesperson said: "We absolutely understand what the bridge means to people locally, unfortunately we have to remove locks to maintain the safety of the bridge and protect its structure. "We carry out regular maintenance on the bridge, which does mean that any locks placed on there will be removed. "We’ve been working alongside both Nottingham universities and the local community and we’re hoping to provide an update on our work to create a structure to reflect the bridge’s importance as soon as we can." People have also been warned against placing love locks on the new Waterside Bridge between Trent Basin and Lady Bay, which opened in June. A spokesperson for the city council-run Transport Nottingham said: "We love love too but a reminder that love locks will be cut off Waterside Bridge and chucked away - so please don't waste your time and money."