‘Significantly fewer’ toad deaths after campaign secures road closure

Dozens of toads have been saved so far this year following a successful campaign to close a Warminster road during their breeding season – and early signs suggest the move is already making a difference.

Each February, toads emerge from hibernation and migrate to their ancestral breeding ponds, following the same route for centuries. In Warminster, this journey takes them across Smallbrook Road, where many have been killed by passing cars.

Determined to take action, Sustainable Warminster launched a campaign in 2023, rallying community support and petitioning the council to close the road. After two years of meetings and lobbying, their efforts paid off – a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was granted, banning vehicles from Smallbrook Road between 5pm and 5am until 30th April.

Since the road closure took effect in February, volunteers from Sustainable Warminster’s Toad Patrol have been monitoring the number of toads on the move. Each night during the closure period, members patrol the road, carefully moving toads to safety to help them complete their journey. The data so far is promising.

Harriet James of Warminster Toad Patrol said, “It’s early days because this is the first year of the road closure, but we are seeing significantly fewer deaths inside the closed sections. There may be a slight improvement on the other roads feeding into Smallbrook, although there are still deaths there. We’ll have all the stats by the end of the year.

“Considering it can take four years for a female to reach breeding stage, it may be some time before we can show an increase in population. However, many toads are still going to be killed between May and October as they disperse from their ponds.”

While signs and traffic cones are in place to enforce the closure, some drivers have ignored the restrictions. Harriet added that a few motorists “seem determined to flout the law and the speed limit.” Some have even moved cones to pass through illegally, risking a £50 fine if caught.

Despite these challenges, volunteers say the road closure has been positive. The Toad Patrol has seen a surge in new members, with people of all ages joining the effort to protect Warminster’s amphibian population.

In May, Sustainable Warminster will analyse the recorded numbers of both surviving and deceased toads during the closure period. Depending on the findings, they may push for future road closures to continue protecting the species.

Some feel “rather exhausted” after their long battle to obtain this year’s monumental road closure. But ultimately, they are also full of hope after the success of recent months and Warminster’s wider show of support to the animals which also call the town home.

Iain Perkins, an ecologist and Toad Patrol volunteer, said, “We are pleased about the super positive comments from the general public, who are enjoying walking their dogs, walking, cycling, and running along Smallbrook Road.

“If people want to help us, they can join Sustainable Warminster for free, attend our talks and activities like litter picking or wildflower planting, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.”

The TRO, in place from 1st February to 30th April, closes Smallbrook Road from the Smallbrook Lane car park to the junction with Upper Marsh Road and Henfords Marsh between 5pm and 5am.

Picture: Warminster Toad Patrol protect the lives of toads, frogs and other wildlife in the Smallbrook meadows area

Warminster Journal on the ground with the Toad Patrol

The Warminster Journal joined the volunteers making a difference with the Warminster Toad Patrol on a chilly Friday evening in March to witness just how much Smallbrook Road transforms when night falls. The dedicated group monitors the number of toads on the move during the road closure period, carefully helping them to safety.

As the Toad Patrol donned high-vis jackets and made their way down the peaceful track, the distant sound of military exercises was the only thing disturbing the quiet.

Within minutes of our walk, a newt scuttled out in front of the group and posed graciously for some photos. A male toad was the next animal to be spotted, and volunteers gently guided him towards the side of the road. A mating pair then appeared under our torchlights, which volunteers explained was a common sight at this time of year.

Soon enough, animals were everywhere, and Toad Patrol members were kept busy recording numbers and noting down specific sections of Smallbrook Road where the creatures were sighted.

But just past the cones marking the end of the road closure, the bodies of dead toads started to appear. Each had been hit by a car.

Toad Patrol member Ellis, 11, said, “If it was a cat or a dog crossing the road, no one would drive over them because they are big and fluffy. Just because toads are small and look slimy, people don’t seem to care about them. Toads are a good part of the ecosystem, and they’re also just really cute and gentle amphibians. They don’t mean any harm.”

Under the watchful eye of adult Toad Patrol members, Ellis and his friends Austin and William hopped into action and used buckets to collect live toads in this area of the road and move them to safety.

On the walk back down Smallbrook Road, our group crossed paths with local residents Linda and Andrew Axford. The couple had walked over from their home in Wylye Road after hearing about the road closure.

Linda explained, “This is our fifth year of living here, and we’d been meaning for a while to come out to Smallbrook Road at night and take a look at the toads. We’ve seen quite a few squished ones before getting here, sadly.”

Andrew added, “I think the road closure is a really fantastic thing.”

If, like Linda and Andrew, you’d like to find out more about the Warminster Toad Patrol or join them before the Smallbrook Road closure comes to an end at the end of April, visit https://sustainablewarminster.co.uk/toad-patrol/.