Floral tribute to baby Louis Thorold set to be removed by Cambridgeshire County Council

Flowers planted at the site where a five-month-old baby was killed after a van mounted the pavement and struck his pram are set to be removed by Cambridgeshire County Council over safety concerns.

Baby Louis Thorold died in January 2021. His mother, Rachael Thorold, survived but spent 118 days in hospital and suffered multiple broken bones as well as a traumatic brain injury.

His family has campaigned to make the junction where Louis was killed at Car Dyke Road in Waterbeach safer, and concerned residents planted a floral memorial on the site in March this year.

But now the county council wants to remove the flowers. It says: “Concerns have been raised that this roadside tribute is a potential road safety risk, as it is a distraction to road users and could encourage repeat visits by bereaved friends and relatives.”

The news has been met with outrage and sadness by villagers and the Thorold family.

The Louis Thorold Foundation, which was set up by father Chris in his son’s name to campaign for road safety improvments, said on social media: “We have been made aware that Cambs Council are intending to remove the beautiful flowers installed by the community in Waterbeach, in the name of road safety. We believe these lovely flowers make the area safer as it reminds drivers to slow.”

Meanwhile a petition has been set up by Waterbeach residents to save the memorial and has already gathered 500 signatures.

It states: “Please help us save this beautiful memorial by signing our petition. As a village having this beautiful memorial keeps Louis’ memory alive.”

Waterbeach residents have commented on the village’s Facebook page that they would like to see the memorial stay. One said: “It is such a lovely thing of someone to do. I know that I think of little Louis every time I drive past even though I never met your family.”

However, a sign at the site posted by the county council said: “Memorials to those who have died in road traffic accidents can be an important way to pay tribute to the deceased, and the road safety cause... (but) concerns have been raised that this roadside tribute a potential safety risk, as it is a distraction to road users and could encourage repeat visits by bereaved friends and relatives.

“In view of the above, Cambridgeshire County Council gives notice of intention to remove the current memorial.”

A county council spokesperson said: “We understand how sensitive roadside memorials can be for those who want to pay their respects.

“Following concerns raised about the safety risks associated with the memorial to Louis Thorold, we’ve been trying to make contact with the people who made it.

“We would like to work with them and the family to discuss the memorial and the potential for a new location, which could offer a safer place for people to reflect and remember Louis.”