19 April 2016

Love locks to be cut from Aspen Island bridge

| Alexandra Craig
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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the National Capital Authority (NCA) has gotten into the spirit by announcing it’s taking bolt cutters to the love locks on Aspen Island’s John Douglas Gordon footbridge.

The NCA says it is taking preventative action now, removing the love locks before any serious damage occurs to the structure of the bridge. The railings aren’t engineered to hold additional weight.

I wrote last year that while not having attached a love lock to a bridge myself (I have a partner, but maybe I’ll do a lovelock with my cats’ names on it), I thought they were pretty cute and a nice idea, so I’m a bit disappointed the NCA is cutting them off. I was of the impression there wasn’t that many love locks on the bridge, so I went down to Aspen Island last night to check it out.

There were about 280 love locks across the whole bridge. This might sound like a lot, but when you actually see it for yourself, the bridge is in no immediate danger to collapsing under the weight of the padlocks.

The NCA said last year that there were no immediate plans to remove the locks, unless they began to interfere with the maintenance schedule, in which case they would be removed.

It doesn’t appear that the locks are interfering with anything at the moment, but rather that the NCA is trying to nip it in the bud early. I understand the need for public safety and all that jazz, but the love locks aren’t even close to being a problem yet. It just seems very party pooper of the NCA to be cutting them off.

Executive Director of the NCA, Helen Badger, said, “Instead of couples attaching pad locks to the Aspen Island footbridge we encourage them to celebrate their relationship by enjoying National Carillon recitals on Aspen Island.”

I understand that they feel the need to provide an alternative for people but attending a Carillon recital probably isn’t really on the mark with the interests of people that want to leave a love lock.

Evelyn Moon and her husband left a love lock on the bridge in April 2014 after they were married on Aspen Island. Evelyn said that her first reaction to hearing her lovelock would be cut off was one of sadness.

“It’s a bridge of love and happiness, so many fond moments and memories for people at one of the best times in their lives,” she said.

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A Facebook post exploded last night with many people expressing annoyance and sadness at their love locks being removed from the bridge, with some pledging to return to the bridge this week to retrieve their lock. Others are unable to take their lock back after the key was thrown into Lake Burley Griffin.

Josie Ponticello and her husband (pictured above) left a lock on the bridge a year ago when they were married, but live four hours away from Canberra and can’t retrieve their lock in time.

The love locks will be removed from 6 February 2015, and an ongoing program will be put in place to remove any lovelocks that may appear in the future.

Update: The National Capital Authority says that if couples have broken from tradition and retained the key, they have until Friday 6 February to remove the locks themselves. On Friday, cutting the padlocks off structures on National Land will result in “irreparable damage to the padlocks”.

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…and just to prove the nca right, paris stops the locks on its famed pont des arts:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2015/jun/02/paris-padlocks-lovepont-des-arts-bridge-removed-in-pictures

canberra needs that sculpture, people…

Solidarity said :

astrojax said :

maybe artsact could commission a sculpture somewhere, constructed of a metal meshing material of some sort, designed for those who think putting padlocks in public places to be a good thing to go and put padlocks in a public place… maybe replicate this and have one in each town centre / precinct..?

Oh wow…

Any scuptures around?

NCA should commission a new public artwork, an artwork of a giant lock… a lock made out of love locks that have been removed by the NCA!

Everybody wins!

i don’t know of any, hence the suggestion… anyone with arts act connections on the riot??

astrojax said :

maybe artsact could commission a sculpture somewhere, constructed of a metal meshing material of some sort, designed for those who think putting padlocks in public places to be a good thing to go and put padlocks in a public place… maybe replicate this and have one in each town centre / precinct..?

Oh wow…

Any scuptures around?

NCA should commission a new public artwork, an artwork of a giant lock… a lock made out of love locks that have been removed by the NCA!

Everybody wins!

Postalgeek said :

Geocaching your lovelock would make it a more interesting and adventurous thing to discover.

If you’re geocaching I’d expect your lock to have only one set of initials on it.

Postalgeek said :

Geocaching your lovelock would make it a far more interesting and adventurous thing to discover.

There are pretend locks with small compartments. The thought did cross my mind.

Geocaching your lovelock would make it a more interesting and adventurous thing to discover.

maybe artsact could commission a sculpture somewhere, constructed of a metal meshing material of some sort, designed for those who think putting padlocks in public places to be a good thing to go and put padlocks in a public place… maybe replicate this and have one in each town centre / precinct..?

VYBerlinaV8_is_back1:31 pm 13 Feb 15

Solidarity said :

I noticed some lame locks on the railing next to the pedestrian crossing in Manuka outside My Cafe, then some more on a chain fence up Red Hill. They’re popping up everywhere. I wonder if I could sell love locks out of a van at various locations this weekend – All i’d need is a van with a bench in the back, I already have a dremel which can engrave.

That’s actually quite a clever idea. You should do it.

I noticed some lame locks on the railing next to the pedestrian crossing in Manuka outside My Cafe, then some more on a chain fence up Red Hill. They’re popping up everywhere. I wonder if I could sell love locks out of a van at various locations this weekend – All i’d need is a van with a bench in the back, I already have a dremel which can engrave.

Milly Withers9:04 am 13 Feb 15

In other love lock news, the newly-formed Lyneham Community Association has started hanging padlocks engraves with “We Love Lyneham” onto public areas in the suburb that are considered precious and valuable.

If the locks on Aspen Island are anything to go by, I wonder how long these ones will last?

Good idea, I think it is a silly habit and littering

rigseismic6712:15 pm 08 Feb 15

I’m happy, that ex wife of mine thought the love locks were a great idea for our wedding. Now I can finally rid myself of this hideous memory.

I can’t see the problem.

I find padlocking all my partners to public structures more conducive to maintaining some permanence to the relationship.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Yes. Yes I do. Should we start with the doors to the legislative assembly…?

Before or after the members come out?

Whether you agree with the originality of the idea or not is one thing. I personally think its a bit tacky, but clearly some people think its a nice idea. I agree with another commenter – plant a tree (I guess digging a hole and hosing a sapling on your wedding day doesn’t make for a Facebook worthy photo op – but that makes me sound really judgy … my apologies).

However, the matter of whether the NCA is doing the right or wrong thing is another. I think the overwhelming feeling on RA is that they are doing what we’d expect them to do. OP – you might see it as being a ‘party pooper’ move, but they’re simply managing something that is their responsibility to manage.

I can see what the NCA is doing, as the OP stated, nipping the activity in the bud – essentially they’re saying ‘don’t put your locks here, cos we’ll chop them off and you won’t get them back’. People will soon give the practice up. Its 280 now, spread across the bridge its not a biggie. In 5 years, however, it will possibly be thousands – in the OPs words, she’d put her cat’s name on it (not her partner’s), so you can imagine locks being left for all manner of reasons … remembering pets, friendship, marriages, mates/family members that have passed, etc. The thought would be ‘well its not like you can’t … I mean, the NCA obviously don’t have an issue with it or they’d have removed them by now’. Therefore, cut them off before the whole thing becomes a ‘thing’ and and the issue is more tiresome, controversial and expensive to manage.

What yanks my chain is the OP talking about ‘rights’, and the NCA as some how lazy or inconsiderate because they can’t be ‘bothered’ to cater to the padlock people, etc. As others have stated, if you padlock something such as a bike to a structure that is not designed for that purpose in a public place, and then abandon it … do you have a ‘right’ to expect that it remain there and not ever be removed? Or indeed, that paid workers – after they’ve already put other work aside in order to come and remove property that ppl have left someplace – should then further run a pick-up service for ppl to come and collect said property? These people aren’t running a volunteer service … they have other work to do and we pay for that work to get done? Is that what is meant by ‘can’t be bothered’? I really can’t see why they should be bothered.

Rights. Pfffft. There are many other ‘rights’ we should ensure are met for all in this community, before we complain about people being denied their ‘right’ to collect their lovelocks. Not that long ago, a lovely time spent with family and friends, a pretty dress, champagne, a good meal and some photographs to remember the day was enough to celebrate two people marrying. Truly, if their lock being cutoff a bridge is what is wrenching their hearts in two, they really should be counting their blessings … I’d say life is pretty good. Couples should focus their energy on the marriage and one another, and not the symbols they’ve attached to public structures.

End rant.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back4:32 pm 06 Feb 15

Evilomlap said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

chris820 said :

milkman said :

Maybe we need to take the concept further and start putting locks in more unusual places.

I noticed a couple attached to the railings out at Gibraltar Falls. I’m not a fan.

With a bit of thinking one could create all manner of mischief locking things that were not meant to stay locked.

Hot damn I like the way you think man! What you up to this weekend? Fancy a locking spree?

Yes. Yes I do. Should we start with the doors to the legislative assembly…?

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

chris820 said :

milkman said :

Maybe we need to take the concept further and start putting locks in more unusual places.

I noticed a couple attached to the railings out at Gibraltar Falls. I’m not a fan.

With a bit of thinking one could create all manner of mischief locking things that were not meant to stay locked.

Hot damn I like the way you think man! What you up to this weekend? Fancy a locking spree?

VYBerlinaV8_is_back10:44 am 06 Feb 15

chris820 said :

milkman said :

Maybe we need to take the concept further and start putting locks in more unusual places.

I noticed a couple attached to the railings out at Gibraltar Falls. I’m not a fan.

With a bit of thinking one could create all manner of mischief locking things that were not meant to stay locked.

Graffiti artists are lining up to get their paint back.

How much does it cost to get someone out there to cut them all off?

Gov should just sell random boxes of the broken padlocks on ebay/Allbids!

That way those who want their padlock back can show how much they do.

milkman said :

Maybe we need to take the concept further and start putting locks in more unusual places.

I noticed a couple attached to the railings out at Gibraltar Falls. I’m not a fan.

milkman said :

Maybe we need to take the concept further and start putting locks in more unusual places.

There are plenty of vertical bar fences at the AMC. I sure there have been some romances initiated there.

Maybe we need to take the concept further and start putting locks in more unusual places.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back4:24 pm 05 Feb 15

semaj said :

As always, the guys at the Things Bogans Like blog have it covered:

http://thingsboganslike.com/2014/10/28/262-padlocks/

That’s hilarious. And mostly true.

Unfortunately people forget the bolt cutter in all the excitement of their first divorce! 😀

Isn’t this all a bit wannabe? 😕

Not Like the Aspen Island bridge can compete with a bridge over the Seine.

Especially given the state of repair the NCA has left the Carillon tower. I’d be more worried about bits of that falling on people. That beautiful British gift to our Nation has been criminally neglected.

semaj said :

As always, the guys at the Things Bogans Like blog have it covered:

http://thingsboganslike.com/2014/10/28/262-padlocks/

Sums it up perfectly. If you really want to leave a lasting symbol of your love, go plant a tree.

Ex Warrior said :

NCA appear to have plenty of time on their hands. If we could have a structural engineer assess this situation I would tip slight overkill by NCA.

Only in Canberra….

Well, their parking inspectors are very busy in the Parliamentary triangle.

As always, the guys at the Things Bogans Like blog have it covered:

http://thingsboganslike.com/2014/10/28/262-padlocks/

NCA appear to have plenty of time on their hands. If we could have a structural engineer assess this situation I would tip slight overkill by NCA.

Only in Canberra….

Alexandra Craig said :

What would you suggest? That we all do what the big guy says and don’t have any independent thoughts of our own? Sounds fun. We don’t all want to be dictated to – unless perhaps, we join the military.

I’d suggest we spend time fighting more important battles.

Alexandra Craig said :

What would you suggest? That we all do what the big guy says and don’t have any independent thoughts of our own? Sounds fun. We don’t all want to be dictated to – unless perhaps, we join the military.

To place one lovelock might be regarded as independent thought. To place 280 lovelocks looks like a me-too trend.

Alexandra Craig said :

Re all the comments about ‘people should go get their locks themselves’ etc etc – as I said in the article, and repeated in an earlier comment: not everyone can do that. Some people don’t live here anymore. The NCA announced this on Monday afternoon, the locks to be cut off on Friday. They could have at least given people a weekend to get here. The bridge isn’t going to fall down between the Friday and the Monday, and it’s unlikely any new locks would be placed over the weekend given that people now know they’ll be cut off.

dlenihan said :

Alexandra Craig said :

watto23 said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

I’ve seen plenty of people on social media the last few days expressing that they want their lock back. Some can’t get it because they don’t have the key – others have the key but can’t get here before Friday. I have an example of one couple in the article that want their lock back.

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

Well that’s it then. If people are driving the Wambulance on social media sites, things MUST change.

Is this really the society we know live in?

What would you suggest? That we all do what the big guy says and don’t have any independent thoughts of our own? Sounds fun. We don’t all want to be dictated to – unless perhaps, we join the military.

Well my suggestion would be that people who deface property shouldn’t expect to be catered to by those responsible for the rightful upkeep of the area.

Alexandra Craig11:43 pm 04 Feb 15

Re all the comments about ‘people should go get their locks themselves’ etc etc – as I said in the article, and repeated in an earlier comment: not everyone can do that. Some people don’t live here anymore. The NCA announced this on Monday afternoon, the locks to be cut off on Friday. They could have at least given people a weekend to get here. The bridge isn’t going to fall down between the Friday and the Monday, and it’s unlikely any new locks would be placed over the weekend given that people now know they’ll be cut off.

dlenihan said :

Alexandra Craig said :

watto23 said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

I’ve seen plenty of people on social media the last few days expressing that they want their lock back. Some can’t get it because they don’t have the key – others have the key but can’t get here before Friday. I have an example of one couple in the article that want their lock back.

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

Well that’s it then. If people are driving the Wambulance on social media sites, things MUST change.

Is this really the society we know live in?

What would you suggest? That we all do what the big guy says and don’t have any independent thoughts of our own? Sounds fun. We don’t all want to be dictated to – unless perhaps, we join the military.

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

This… although personally I wouldn’t be too averse to the angle grinder being taken to many of the freaking ugly tattoos I see people sporting as well.

tuco said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

Padlocks usually have case-hardened steel so they will need an angle grinder with diamond cutting disk. The casing of the padlock should not be damaged but it won’t be a functional padlock anymore.

So it won’t be a functional padlock after they cut through the shackle with an angle grinder? Well, I never …

I had to spell it out for the OP………………………sorry.

Alexandra Craig said :

watto23 said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

I’ve seen plenty of people on social media the last few days expressing that they want their lock back. Some can’t get it because they don’t have the key – others have the key but can’t get here before Friday. I have an example of one couple in the article that want their lock back.

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

Well that’s it then. If people are driving the Wambulance on social media sites, things MUST change.

Is this really the society we know live in?

Deface public property then have a cry when the NCA wants to clean it up. Righto.

If you’ve thrown your key in the lake and it means that much to you, you have two days to organise for a locksmith to come out and retrieve your precious memento. Easy done. Then maybe put the lock somewhere on your own property.

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

Padlocks usually have case-hardened steel so they will need an angle grinder with diamond cutting disk. The casing of the padlock should not be damaged but it won’t be a functional padlock anymore.

That’s okay though right – as long as the bulky bit with the engraving is still okay? I’d want mine back if it were me.

Solidarity said :

Public money should definitely be spent on coordinating and storing something as silly as a padlock just to appease a very small minority of a very small minority of the population who want something as trivial as a padlock back…?

Please. It’s a non issue.

The costs of having all the padlocks in a box for 1 month, kept at a reception desk, so people can come up and grab their padlock if they want it, would have a very small cost associated with it. It might be trivial to you, but to some people it’s not trivial. To some people they’re very special, and I think they have the right to be able to collect it if they want to.

But what if I take someone else’s padlock?????????????????????

Solidarity said :

Public money should definitely be spent on coordinating and storing something as silly as a padlock just to appease a very small minority of a very small minority of the population who want something as trivial as a padlock back…?

Please. It’s a non issue.

+1

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

Padlocks usually have case-hardened steel so they will need an angle grinder with diamond cutting disk. The casing of the padlock should not be damaged but it won’t be a functional padlock anymore.

So it won’t be a functional padlock after they cut through the shackle with an angle grinder? Well, I never …

Alexandra Craig said :

To some people they’re very special, and I think they have the right to be able to collect it if they want to.

Have to disagree with you, Alexandra.

The locks have been effectively abandoned in a public space. If I abandon a lock, or a car, or a chip packet in a public space, maybe it will remain there, maybe it will have been removed, but I don’t have any ‘right’ to demand that I be able to collect it at my convenience.

They’ve been given a timeframe in which to reclaim their abandoned locks. If a lock is as special as you suggest it might be, people will make the time, and maybe rethink where they put their lock, maybe even come up with something more original.

fromthecapital5:48 pm 04 Feb 15

Alexandra Craig said :

To some people they’re very special, and I think they have the right to be able to collect it if they want to.

You may think they have the right, but I can’t see how that’s possible.

But if it’s in dispute perhaps a class action can be arranged for those who will be harshly wronged. Or perhaps the locks should be collected by those wanting them prior to them being removed.

Alexandra Craig4:29 pm 04 Feb 15

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

Padlocks usually have case-hardened steel so they will need an angle grinder with diamond cutting disk. The casing of the padlock should not be damaged but it won’t be a functional padlock anymore.

That’s okay though right – as long as the bulky bit with the engraving is still okay? I’d want mine back if it were me.

Solidarity said :

Public money should definitely be spent on coordinating and storing something as silly as a padlock just to appease a very small minority of a very small minority of the population who want something as trivial as a padlock back…?

Please. It’s a non issue.

The costs of having all the padlocks in a box for 1 month, kept at a reception desk, so people can come up and grab their padlock if they want it, would have a very small cost associated with it. It might be trivial to you, but to some people it’s not trivial. To some people they’re very special, and I think they have the right to be able to collect it if they want to.

Alexandra Craig said :

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

It means they have to store them, also probably make them safe, by removing any sharp bits, they’d need to check ID to make sure its their padlock, it all costs time and money to do. I understand the emotional attachment a couple may have to the padlock, but do they realise the padlock will be useless as well? They didn’t seem to care about getting the padlock before when many couples threw the key into the lake either.

Everything has a cost and cutting them off is already consuming money that could be better spent elsewhere.

Public money should definitely be spent on coordinating and storing something as silly as a padlock just to appease a very small minority of a very small minority of the population who want something as trivial as a padlock back…?

Please. It’s a non issue.

Mysteryman said :

Alexandra Craig said :

watto23 said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

I’ve seen plenty of people on social media the last few days expressing that they want their lock back. Some can’t get it because they don’t have the key – others have the key but can’t get here before Friday. I have an example of one couple in the article that want their lock back.

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

Well, I guess they should have thought about that before they locked their padlock to something that didn’t belong to them.

Love is blind.

Alexandra Craig said :

watto23 said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

I’ve seen plenty of people on social media the last few days expressing that they want their lock back. Some can’t get it because they don’t have the key – others have the key but can’t get here before Friday. I have an example of one couple in the article that want their lock back.

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

Well, I guess they should have thought about that before they locked their padlock to something that didn’t belong to them.

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

Padlocks usually have case-hardened steel so they will need an angle grinder with diamond cutting disk. The casing of the padlock should not be damaged but it won’t be a functional padlock anymore.

Alexandra Craig11:34 am 04 Feb 15

watto23 said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

I’ve seen plenty of people on social media the last few days expressing that they want their lock back. Some can’t get it because they don’t have the key – others have the key but can’t get here before Friday. I have an example of one couple in the article that want their lock back.

Why would it be so difficult for the NCA to cut them off and say if people wish to claim them back, they’ve got 28 days. It’s not difficult at all. They just can’t be bothered.

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

But why waste time and effort finding the owners. Clearly they were happy to put the lock on the bridge and never get it back. Its really a non issue, if you put a lock on the bridge trying to emulate Paris then you should have done so knowing it may not be acceptable here and the lock would be removed.

Alexandra Craig10:34 am 04 Feb 15

dungfungus said :

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

Yeah, I know. I mean when they cut them off the bridge – it’ll be done with bolt cutters right? So yes, it will have some damage but it won’t be destroyed to the point where you couldn’t tell what it was beforehand.

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

You cant’ shred a padlock. They are melted down.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back10:22 am 04 Feb 15

Alexandra Craig said :

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

Surely owners of lovelocks can come and retrieve them if they really want them? I’d guess that a lot of people aren’t that concerned. If it were me, I’d go and get it and put it somewhere else.

Alexandra Craig10:18 am 04 Feb 15

dungfungus said :

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Yup. The NCA does. They’ve said they won’t let anyone come and pick up their lovelocks once they’ve been cut off because they’ll be “damaged”. Sure, I’m sure they’ll have some degree of damage to them but I don’t think they’re going to be shredded up beyond recognition. Sounds to me like the NCA just can’t be bothered co-ordinating the task of returning lovelocks to their owners.

watto23 said :

dungfungus said :

dungfungus said :

Dungfungus approves of this action.

Having said that, how about the NCA, while they are still “hot”, moves across the lake and cleans up the Old Parliament House free camping ground?
Everywhere else in the Parliamentary triangle, it costs big bucks to park now. Why should some people be exempted?

The only powers they have with that right now is booking the illegally parked cars which they race out to do quite often. Sooner they get rid of it and the aboriginal embassy the better. Note I’m happy for the aboriginal embassy to occupy a building or something somewhere, but it seems they don’t like that idea.

“….I’m happy for the aboriginal embassy to occupy a building or something somewhere…”
National Arboretum?
They could make money by having smoking ceremonies every time a royal or government dignitary plants a symbolic tree.
Can’t get more Australian than that.

Postalgeek said :

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

Destroyed padlocks have high value as scrap metal. Who gets the proceeds of this little earner?

Good. If people want to adorn themselves with tattoos, fine, but when they start adorning bridges with locks as testament to their undying love that will most likely die within 24 months, it’s time for the bolt cutters.

dungfungus said :

dungfungus said :

Dungfungus approves of this action.

Having said that, how about the NCA, while they are still “hot”, moves across the lake and cleans up the Old Parliament House free camping ground?
Everywhere else in the Parliamentary triangle, it costs big bucks to park now. Why should some people be exempted?

The only powers they have with that right now is booking the illegally parked cars which they race out to do quite often. Sooner they get rid of it and the aboriginal embassy the better. Note I’m happy for the aboriginal embassy to occupy a building or something somewhere, but it seems they don’t like that idea.

dungfungus said :

Dungfungus approves of this action.

Don’t look now, but I too agree with Dungfungus and the NCA! Its not even a unique idea and adding padlocks does cause issues in many ways. Its not a “Fun police” type issue.

Dungfungus would also like to see the unsightly SIEV X “memorial” in Weston Park disappear or at the least, re-locate it to the arboretum.
This probably isn’t in the NCA’s territory but it should go anyhow.

I have no problem with the locks themselves nor any real or perceived damage they may cause to property or hearts, but what is with this social media mentality that exists today that just because other people do something, you doing it too somehow constitutes a grand romantic gesture? I can’t imagine any worse way to express my affections for a partner than to do something that *millions of other people have done*. Get off facebook and try some originality.

dungfungus said :

Dungfungus approves of this action.

Having said that, how about the NCA, while they are still “hot”, moves across the lake and cleans up the Old Parliament House free camping ground?
Everywhere else in the Parliamentary triangle, it costs big bucks to park now. Why should some people be exempted?

100% agree with removing them. It’s litter and graffiti at the same time, which someone needs to be paid to clean up at some point. A ring on a finger is a bit more traditional and practical than a lock on a bridge.

YES, I also support the removal of these padlocks. Do nothing about this fad and our bridges become overwhelmed with the things. Similar action had to be taken in Paris:

http://nolovelocks.com/2014/08/14/paris-city-hall-takes-a-stand-no-more-love-locks/

Dungfungus approves of this action.

Sure, its all party pooper of then NCA, until the rust from the locks damages the bridge itself and results in substantial rebuild to to tune of 100s of thousands of the taxpayers purse.

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