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Designs revealed for new lovelocks display areas

Greig WatsonNottingham
Severn Trent An artist's impression of a series of wooden tree sculptures linked by paths and flower bedsSevern Trent
All the designs feature space for both the old locks and new ones

Nine designs - including love trees and ribbon walks - for a new home for lovelocks removed from a bridge in Nottinghamshire are being put to a public vote.

Hundreds of padlocks were taken off Wilford Suspension Bridge - which connects The Meadows and West Bridgford - in October due to structural concerns.

Architecture students from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have come up with ideas of how to display the locks and create space for new ones.

Views are welcomed until 12 June after which a panel will choose the winning design.

Severn Trent Memory as Materials: Series of curved walls with chain link space for locks and tiles for personal messages.Severn Trent
Severn Trent Loved you yesterday, love you tomorrow: Four rising copper curved wallsSevern Trent
Memory as Materials: a series of curved walls with chain link space for locks and tiles for personal messages.
Loved you yesterday, love you tomorrow: Four rising, curved, copper walls

The nine designs are all intended to be sited close to the existing bridge and include old locks and room for new ones to be fitted.

The judging panel is made of representatives from the bridge's owner Severn Trent, the two universities, Nottingham City Council and a member of the public.

Local resident Alex Tullett, who is part of the judging panel, said: "As someone who enjoys walks and runs along the river, I could easily envisage how the structures would complement and enhance the space.

"What stood out most was the thought and care that had gone into the proposals, particularly the balance between preserving the sentiment behind the lovelocks and considering how the public would interact with the installations."

Bridge with love locks
Love locks attached to Wilford Suspension Bridge were removed over damage concerns

Sam Wilson, from Severn Trent said: "It's been incredible to see the hard work the students from both universities have put into their designs.

"Considering they only had a day to create them, their creativity and thought comes through in how empathetic their designs are to those who had locks on the bridge."

Severn Trent said it intended to announce a winner as soon as possible but it depended on feedback and logistical needs of designs.

The build itself would also be guided by practical considerations only apparent when a design had been finalised, a spokesman said.

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