Lovers' locks cut fom Melbourne bridge

More than 20,000 lovers will be heartbroken as their "love locks" are cut from a Melbourne bridge.

A Melbourne City Council spokesman said the locks were being cut off the Southbank footbridge on Wednesday morning and stored while their next move was negotiated.

The council has cited safety concerns, saying the weight of the locks was causing the safety barrier to sag.

A bar which is located under the bridge, Ponyfish Island, has offered to take the locks on and co-owner Andrew Mackinnon says they would be worked into a major refurbishment which is planned to start soon.

"We think it would be such a pity for this spontaneous expression of commitment for couples to no longer have a home," Mr Mackinnon told AAP.

Melbourne lovebirds and visitors to the city have for the last three years made their way to the footbridge to lock in their love forever, placing their lock on the bridge and throwing away the key.