IF YOU’VE CROSSED over Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge over the past few months, you may have noticed dozens of padlocks hanging from the railings.

These are ‘love locks’ – a public symbol of love from happy couples visiting the city.

Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

The tradition isn’t unique to Ireland. In June, part of the famous Pont des Arts in Paris collapsed due to the weight of love locks adorning the railings.

Fearing a similar fate for our own Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin City Council has been working for months to remove padlocks, but more and more keep appearing in their place.

Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Now, the council have placed signs on the bridge asking couples not to attach padlocks – they say they are busy thinking up alternative ways for people to show their love for each other around the city.

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According to the Beta Projects website, they are considering Love Trees (metal structures specifically for love locks), a Lovers’ Lane (with spaces to write love notes) and encouraging couples to take selfies and share them with a special hashtag.

You can share your own suggestions with the council on the Beta Projects website and with the Twitter hashtag #LoveLocksBeta.

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