Lovers' locks saved from Victorian bridge

More than 20,000 "love locks" on a Melbourne bridge have been saved from the bolt cutters, as the bar downstairs finds a key to their future.

They were supposed to symbolise everlasting love but the Melbourne City Council planned to remove the locks from a Southbank bridge, citing safety concerns.

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

But the fate of the locks seems secure after an offer by Ponyfish Island co-owner Andrew Mackinnon.

The plan is for the safety wires to be cut and the locks slid off to be later displayed in a major planned refurbishment of the bar.

"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.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the safety barrier wires were sagging on the bridge because of the weight of the locks and called on anyone with ideas about what to do with the locks.

It's not yet known how Mr Doyle feels about the new plans.