Students from both Nottingham universities are working with Severn Trent to rethink the future of removed love locks. The historic bridge became overloaded with decades of padlocks from couples, families and friends.
Structural checks showed the locks had to be removed to keep the bridge safe and stable. While some owners collected their locks, around 2,000 remained unclaimed.
Acknowledging their emotional and cultural value, Severn Trent invited architecture students from both universities to develop creative ways to preserve the locks’ legacy. Students are designing concepts that turn the locks into a new public installation.
Early ideas include sculptures, seating and walkways near Victoria Embankment. A shortlist will be created before selecting a final design, and the project will include opportunities for public engagement.
The project highlights collaboration between industry and universities on a live community brief. It gives students real-world experience while contributing to Nottingham’s heritage and public spaces.
