Pyracantha Problem - Can I Cut This Root?

Hi all,
My first post
I have a large Pyracantha Bush (Tree?) at the bottom of my garden; the area in question is currently being redeveloped to create something hopefully a bit nicer, whilst being easy to maintain. I'll be using part of a railway sleeper to create a raised bed.
However, Mr. Pyracantha has somewhat inconsiderately placed a root smack bang in the middle of proceedings, which makes positioning of the sleeper much more complicated than I would like; the Y-shaped crack in the garden path in the first photo is due to the root too

I'm contemplating chopping the root out; I realise it's not ideal but it would make life a lot easier (and the path should benefit too). Any thoughts please - I don't want to kill the bush as I quite like it and it's pretty useful for killing any intruders hoping to climb the back gate or fence; the birds like the berries too.

The Fern(?) in the recycling box is just a temporary measure, as a means of keeping it alive during landscape proceedings

Many thanks.

Brian

edit: The root is in the centre of the second photo, just to the right of the green flowerpot

 

We have a pyracantha aside our property, this was hacked back to a stick. It has now come back and has had two flushes of berries. They are a pretty robust shrub and I have a very large on in the back garden, and yes the birds love them.

 

If after you feel exposed to the area, then use these deterrent strips. Prick sticks are great at stopping intruders.

 

Thanks for the replies; I have some of the Prickle Strips already, along the top of a fence and also above the garden gate. However, they're not a patch on the Pyracantha [I have the scars :( ] and I'm hoping that I won't do it harm if I cut the root.