Love locks on the Sea Cliff Bridge. Photo: KIRK GILMOUR
Visitors have started removing so-called ‘‘love locks’’ from the Sea Cliff Bridge, with just days to go until the bolt cutters come out.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) southern regional manager Bradley Turner said it was pleasing to see people collecting their keepsakes before his organisation begins removing them by force on Monday.
"The padlocks cause safety and maintenance issues on this iconic bridge," he said.
Locks will be removed from the bridge on September 10, but will remain available for collection from the RMS works centre at 21 York Place, Russell Vale, until October 31.
RMS offered advance warning of its plans after Wollongong City Council removed locks on Mount Keira lookout in April without notice, prompting complaints.
Council later invited owners to collect the locks and about 30 out of 300-400 were claimed.
A council spokesman said the remainder had recently been recycled.
Both council and the RMS are investigating an alternative to the bridge and the lookout, including a purpose-built structure for love locks.
