Over the Christmas holidays a banner appeared at the dangerous A281 crossing on the Downs Link close to the spot where Pathushan Sutharsan was killed in July 2020. It read: “All I want for Christmas is to Bridge the Downs Link!” The banner was later joined by flowers left by Pathushan’s family who regularly visit […]

The Sussex Ramblers have joined the growing list of organisations calling for a bridge at the dangerous crossing of the A281 on the Downs Link at Rudgwick. David Purcell, West Sussex Area Footpath Officer for the group, said: “The current crossing presents a very significant risk to all users due to the high volume of […]

The campaign for a bridge at the A281 Downs Link crossing has drawn support from right across the political spectrum. Politicians from all locally represented parties (and none) have now backed calls for a bridge at the dangerous crossing. County and district councillors – along with Horsham’s MP Jeremy Quin and the local parish council […]

Sarah Sharp, West Sussex County Councillor for Chichester South Division, joins the growing number of politicians calling for WSCC to “act quickly” to make the dangerous crossing safe for future generations. Sarah says: “A bridge is clearly the solution that keeps as many people as possible safe whether they walk, cycle or ride horses.” No […]

The Horsham & Crawley Liberal Democrat group have given their full support to the Bridge the Downs Link campaign. The campaign was set up following the death of Pathushan Sutharsan who was killed at the A281 crossing while taking part in a charity bike ride. Group Secretary Bob Wheatcroft said: “The Downs Link is a […]

Melody Pilgrim who is deaf and partially sighted is a keen walker, runner and cyclist who regularly uses the Downs Link. She chooses the Downs Link because it’s near her home in Horsham and it offers a safe environment. There’s just one problem: the A281 crossing at Rudgwick. For Melody “crossing the main road at […]

Last Saturday riders on the London to Brighton Off-Road Bike Ride were seen streaming along the Downs Link between Cranleigh and Bramber on their way to the coast. The charity bike ride which is held annually in aid of the British Heart Foundation involves crossing the A281 at Rudgwick where Pathushan Sutharsan was killed during […]

In a post on his Facebook page, Horsham MP Jeremy Quin has expressed his support for the Bridge the Downs Link campaign. “I am delighted that because of the wider economic and social benefits for the area and the safety benefits to riders, cyclists, walkers and indeed those using the A281, HDC have applied for […]

Following the memorial event held on Saturday the West Sussex County Times published an online report. Pathushan Sutharsan was taking part in a charity bike ride on the Downs Link when he was killed by a lorry at the A281 crossing. You can support the campaign by writing to your local County councillor, displaying one of our posters and signing […]

Over 60 people attended the memorial event marking two years since Pathushan Sutharsan was killed on the Downs Link: his family and friends, local residents and those from further afield concerned about the dangerous crossing. Paul Sathianesan, a close friend of the family, spoke movingly of Pathushan’s life, a talented and selfless young artist who […]

Campaign chair Hilary Jubert met with Horsham MP Jeremy Quin at the crossing on the morning of the memorial event and sent this message: “Jeremy wholeheartedly supports the building of a bridge and will be actively lobbying for WSCC to do parallel studies into a Pegasus crossing AND a bridge, the bridge being the preferred […]

At the World Athletics Championships in Oregon Britain’s Jake Wightman has taken a gold medal in the men’s 1500m race. Jake, who frequently trains on the Downs Link, has previously spoken of his frustration at the risks of having to cross the busy A281. “It breaks up my momentum in having to stop at the […]

In July it will be two years since Pathushan Sutharsan was killed by a lorry at the notorious A281 crossing on the Downs Link. Join us with Pathushan’s family on Saturday 23rd July as we mark this occasion and highlight the continuing need for a bridge at this dangerous crossing. Under the banner “Remember Pathushan, […]

Jon Olson, Horsham District Councillor for Forest Ward, joins the growing list of local politicians who are calling for a bridge at the dangerous A281 Rudgwick crossing. Citing the speed of the traffic and the poor visibility at the junction he says the current mitigation attempts by West Sussex County Council to make the crossing […]

The Bridge the Downs Link campaign was in the news again with a letter from Chair Hilary Jubert in the June edition of the All About Horsham magazine. Hilary questioned both the validity of the feasibility study commissioned by West Sussex County Council (in particular the accuracy of the speed data quoted in the report) […]

John Milne, County Councillor for Horsham Riverside has joined his County colleague Christian Mitchell alongside Horsham District Councillors Richard Landeryou, Ruth Fletcher and Mike Croker in calling for a bridge at the Downs Link crossing of the A281 near Rudgwick where two years ago Pathushan Sutharsan was killed. Highlighting the need to treat walking and […]

After visiting the site where Pathushan Sutharsan was killed two years ago the MP for Horsham Jeremy Quin says he “remains concerned” and is sceptical that a Pegasus crossing would be the solution: “I am not certain it would actually represent the best value for money option – and is not the safest option available.” […]

On Saturday 23rd July there will be an event near the spot on the Downs Link where Pathushan Sutharsan was killed by a lorry as he attempted to cross the A281. The Bridge the Downs Link campaign are marking the occasion in honour of Pathushan and to highlight the continuing need for a bridge at […]

Richard Landeryou, Horsham District Councillor for Rudgwick Ward, disagrees with West Sussex County Council’s recent announcement that rather than pursuing a bridge they are investigating the cheaper option of a Pegasus crossing which they say provides “similar benefits to a bridge”. According to Richard, “the bridge guarantees no further deaths or injuries to users of […]

Ben Morris, Editor of the All About Horsham (AAH) magazine has come out in support of a bridge for the dangerous A281 Downs Link crossing. A regular cyclist on the Downs Link for many years (often with his two sons) Ben says of the A281 crossing: “I always approach this crossing with caution”. “My personal […]

Mike Croker, Horsham District Councillor for Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote, has spoken in support of a bridge and has called for a full analysis of all the options before deciding the future of the lethal crossing. “With increasing motor traffic volume and speed, and increasing use of the Downs Link for leisure and commuting, […]

Christian Mitchell, West Sussex County Councillor for the Broadbridge Division, has joined the growing number of calls for a bridge at the dangerous A281 Downs Link crossing. Christin says: “The Downs Link path is a wonderful facility and I want everyone to be able to enjoy it safely.” “The A281 is the only unprotected crossing […]

During the lockdown of summer 2020, Nick Moffitt, who lives in Ealing and organises charity bike rides from London to Amsterdam, took his pre-teen daughter on a bike ride from Guildford to Brighton on the Downs Link. What should have been a pleasant experience turned into an unforgettable nightmare when they reached the crossing of […]

The long-awaited feasibility study commissioned by West Sussex County Council into making the A281 Downs Link crossing safe has now been published. The report looked at three options: a bridge, a Pegasus crossing and an uncontrolled crossing of the road. WSCC have responded by saying that, despite a bridge being in their words their “preferred […]

The Bridge the Downs Link campaign was once again in the news this week with an article on page 2 of the West Sussex County Times. Disabled Ramblers, who organise rides in the countryside for mobility scooter users, have said they will no longer use the Downs Link due to the dangerous Rudgwick A281 crossing […]

Disabled Ramblers, who organise rides in the countryside for mobility scooter users have said they will no longer use the Downs Link and have called for a bridge to be built to make the route safe. John Cuthbertson, Chairman of the national charity, said that although the Downs Link is an excellent route which they […]

Dave Walker, the “Cycling Cartoonist” whose drawings are enjoyed all over the world has thrown his weight behind the campaign for a bridge at the dangerous A281 crossing. His cartoons are sparse but expressive and have been used by Cycling UK in several of their nationwide campaigns. His latest book of cartoons “A to B: […]

The Bridge the Downs Link campaign is in the news again! This time in the West Sussex County Times. It’s been over 18 months since Pathushan Sutharsan was killed at the lethal A281 crossing. Nine months since the coroner told WSCC to take action to prevent future deaths. When will WSCC make the crossing safe […]

The Bridge the Downs Link campaign was featured in the February bulletin of Cycling UK’s monthly campaign newsletter. The fight for a safe crossing of the A281 has now reached a national audience in a newsletter that is seen by thousands of people. The Bridge the Downs Link campaign was set up following the death […]

The long journey to building a bridge at the lethal A281 Downs Link crossing is at a critical juncture. The death in July 2020 of Pathushan Sutharsan as he attempted to cross the road on his bike during a charity ride galvanised people into action, and was the catalyst for forming the Bridge the Downs […]

A local nursery school have thrown their support behind the Bridge the Downs Link campaign, labelling the existing crossing of the A281 as “too dangerous”. Tonia Jackson-Robson who runs the Jack and Gill Childcare and Forest School in Rudgwick says there is “absolutely no way” she would allow the children in her care to use […]

Ruth Fletcher, Horsham District Councillor for Denne Ward, has spoken of the pain that every parent must have felt on hearing of the death of Pathushan Sutharsan on the Downs Link in July 2020. A bridge over the busy road, which could cost as much as £2m, is the “right solution” which will “completely separate […]

Rob Bookham, owner of the Milk Churn café in Rudgwick, has joined calls for a bridge on the Downs Link where it crosses the A281. The former Parish councillor says that a bridge is the “only solution” to keeping users of the path safe from fast-moving vehicles on the A281. “Increasing cycling and walking are […]

The Bridge the Downs Link campaign was featured in the December issue of the All About Horsham magazine. Campaign Chair Hilary Jubert was interviewed, along with local businessman Rob Bookham, Councillor Sue Kornycky and Olympic runner Jake Wightman. Hilary, who gave evidence at the inquest into the death of Pathushan Sutharsan who was killed at […]

National campaign group the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain have slammed West Sussex County Council’s failure to provide a safe crossing on the Downs Link where Pathushan Sutharsan was killed by a lorry in July 2020. Founder Jim Davis calls the A281 crossing “a tragic, dangerous mess” which “claimed the life of a young man […]

Cycling campaign group Shoreham-by-Cycle have joined the growing list of organisations and individuals supporting calls for a bridge at the dangerous A281 crossing. Clive Andrews of the group says that all users of the Downs Link – whether walkers and cyclists, young and old – need to be safe, and that the current unprotected road […]

A local cycling group have condemned what they say is a dangerous crossing of the A281. The group based in Rudgwick use the Downs Link for their weekly bike rides. However, the lethal A281 road crossing prevents them from venturing too far. Ride leader Fiona Sodha says: “Rarely does the group head south along the […]

Seven seconds: that’s the time between a car appearing in view and being on top of the crossing (and possibly you). The A281 crossing on the Downs Link just south of Rudgwick remains a lethal place for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Last July Pathu Sutharsan was killed on the crossing and the Coroner’s report […]

Jake Wightman, an Olympic athlete who represented Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Games, has joined calls for a bridge crossing where the Downs Link meets the A281. Like many other runners he uses the Downs Link for training purposes but finds the dangerous road crossing disrupts his routine. “It breaks up my momentum in […]

The West Sussex Cycle Forum joins a growing list of organisations and individuals calling for a bridge at the notorious A281 crossing. Forum chair Geoff Farrell says: “The Downs Link’s potential as a fine route for all is unrealised at present partly because of dangerous crossings such as this one.” “The thought that people on […]

The family of Pathushan Sutharsan have been asked to remove tributes laid at the crossing where he was killed. Pathu was taking part in a charity bike ride on the Downs Link last July when he was fatally struck by a lorry at the notorious A281 crossing. Local residents and campaigners have been demanding for […]

The fatal accident at the A281 crossing in 2020 shocked and saddened the local community of nearby Rudgwick. The local Parish Council say they have waited far too long for WSCC to improve safety at the crossing and want action now to ensure that locals and visitors alike can enjoy walks and rides on the […]

The Horsham District Cycling Forum has joined a growing list of organisations calling on West Sussex County Council to make the Downs Link safe for all and build a bridge at the dangerous A281 crossing. Forum chair Francis Vernon says the Downs Link crossing of the A281 near Rudgwick is “probably the most dangerous junction […]

The October copy of the Rudgwick magazine ran a centrefold spread on the Bridge the Downs Link campaign. The magazine is produced by Rudgwick Church and is distributed to 1,400 homes and businesses in the parish. If you would like to support the campaign please write to your local County councillor.

We’ve been busy putting out posters along the Downs Link! From Cranleigh to Rudgwick and Slinfold to Southwater you’ll see our poster on display. If you would like to help publicise the campaign please download one of our posters and display it in your window. If you need a printed or laminated copy please contact […]

Rosemary French, President of the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce which represents the local business community, has joined calls for a bridge at the dangerous Downs Link crossing of the A281. “The Downs Link is a key commercial, social, leisure, health and well-being contributor to the economy of Cranleigh. As long as the Downs Link is […]

The Rudgwick Preservation Society has joined calls for a bridge over the A281 to “make the crossing safe for all users.” Roger Nash, chairman of the group, said they organise walks along the Downs Link on summer evenings but in recent years have no longer feel able to use the crossing because of the danger […]

The British Horse Society supports the campaign to build a bridge over the A281 and say this will “restore the safe use of the Downs Link for equestrians.” HHilary Jubert, Access and Bridleways Officer, said: “The Downs Link is a valuable all weather public bridleway. Equestrians use it as part of circular routes connected by […]

We’ve barely launched and the campaign has already featured in the West Sussex County Times, not once but twice! Want to show your support? Write a letter of support to the paper. Write to your local Councillor. Display our poster in your window. Tell your family and friends about us!

If you want to help promote our campaign a great way of doing so is to download our poster and display it in a window. If you need a printed or laminated copy please contact us here. Another great way to show your support is to write to you local County councillor and MP to […]

The continuing danger posed to users of the Downs Link by the lack of a safe crossing of the A281 was evident during the British Heart Foundation charity bike ride held last Saturday. The yearly London to Brighton Off-Road Bike Ride follows the Downs Link from Cranleigh to Southwater as part of its route. Filtering […]

On the 22nd July last year Pathushan Sutharsan was riding along the Downs Link on a charity cycle ride. As he attempted to cross the road at the notorious crossing of the A281 just south of Rudgwick he was hit by a lorry and killed. To mark the first anniversary of Pathu’s death, members of […]