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Roadside memorials and tributes (PS 8/7)

Purpose of policy

To manage the practice of laying floral and other tributes at the scene of a fatal crash including more permanent roadside memorials.

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Policy statement

  1. The County Council will not authorise permanent roadside memorials/commemorations.
  2. The County Council will allow the temporary laying of floral tributes or soft toys etc on the understanding that they will be removed within 12 weeks of the fatal crash. Any items should be placed away from locations that are hazardous to access, such as the central reserve of dual carriageways or the central island of busy roundabouts.
  3. Where local residents have become involved in a fatal crash, their views will be taken into account in determining where a floral tribute should be placed but the duration will not exceed 12 weeks.
  4. The removal of floral and other tributes will be co-ordinated through the Road Policing Department of Sussex Police who will advise the family/friends of the date the tribute will be removed. This will provide the opportunity for the family/friends to remove any personal items from the roadside before the County Council arranges for the verge to be cleared.
  5. The County Council will not allow the laying of floral and other tributes after the 12 week period following the fatal crash. Longer term memorials/commemorations such as a bench or a tree may be acceptable, provided they are placed away from the public highway. See Obstructions on the highway (PS 8/3) for policy regarding licensing long term memorials.
  6. Any memorials within the public highway that appear to be permanent or tributes that are considered to be placed at locations or in numbers which may have an adverse effect on road safety, will be removed on safety grounds. In such instances the bereaved shall be notified by the Road Policing Department of Sussex Police.

Supporting information

  1. In allowing floral tributes etc to be placed at the scene of a fatal crash it must not be forgotten that all roads have potential dangers and sites of road collisions may be particularly hazardous. The precise location of any tributes must take into account the layout of the road in order to:
    - minimise the risks to those placing or visiting the memorial, and
    - to avoid causing a hazardous distraction to other road users.
  2. All tributes which are not removed within 12 weeks of the fatal crash will be removed by the appropriate Network Manager and in the case of non floral tributes will be taken to a safe storage area. The tributes will remain at the storage area for a period of 6 months, and if they are not collected within that time will be disposed of.
  3. The policy does not allow for anniversary tributes to be placed on the highway and any tribute relating to a crash which occurred in a previous year will be removed in accordance with the details outlined above.

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Date of last review

May 2023

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