London to Brighton Bike Ride: Cyclist's family told to remove tributes

Pathu Sutharsan was taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride when he was fatally hit by an HGV truck on the Downs Link route in Rudgewick last summer.

Flowers, mementos and photographs were left at the roadside where the 20-year-old was killed.

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A year later, his grieving family has been asked to remove the tributes as West Sussex County Council say they are causing a “distraction” to passing traffic.

Family of cyclist killed in charity bike ride asked to remove tributes from crash site

Pathu’s mother Shobana Sutharsan said her husband continues to lay flowers at the crash site every week.

“As a mother, I don’t want to go there,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like my son is still with me.”

Pathu, an architecture student and Sri-Lankan musician, was cycling in aid of children affected by the civil war in Yemen when he died.

His mother said her son was always full of energy and made others happy.

“But when he passed away, my energy was all gone. I don’t know how to raise my other two sons without him,” she said.

“I come home from work and cry sometimes, but I wipe the tears away because I don’t want to make anyone upset.”

Family of cyclist killed in charity bike ride asked to remove tributes from crash site

Following an inquest into Pathu’s death, a coroner found there was a risk of future deaths, “unless action is taken”.

Pathu’s death sparked calls for a bridge to be built over the A281 by a campaign group called Bridge The Downs Link.

However, his brother Shobihan says keeping the roadside tributes would be “greatly appreciated so we can pay our respects”.

“I believe we should keep some of his mementos and tributes as a way of remembrance to all the locals and also to us,” he said.

“Remembrance to how he has left this earth doing something so charitable and heroic and also as an inspiration to anyone passing by.”

Pathu Sutharsan was taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride when he was fatally hit by an HGV truck

According to the council, members of the public raised concerns the memorial was causing distractions to road users.

A highways officer visited the site and confirmed the concerns.

“Safety is always of paramount importance, so we had no option but to ask the family to remove the memorial so it can be placed elsewhere,” a council spokesman said.

“The question of roadside tributes is always a very sensitive one to resolve, which is why we introduced a policy called ‘roadside memorials and tributes’ some years ago.”

The policy states that permanent roadside memorials are not permitted on the county’s highways.

“It includes a series of guidelines that try to balance the need for people to have a period of grieving against instances where very legitimate safety concerns might arise - in which case we ask families to please remove the tribute,” the spokesman added.

“We appreciate what a difficult time this is for Pathushan’s family and friends and would like to convey our condolences to them.”