Bath road to close for six weeks to allow toads to cross

Amphibians typically migrate after dusk during February and March

A road will be closed for the next six weeks to allow toads, frogs and newts to cross to their breeding grounds.

Charlcombe Lane in Bath will be shut until 25 March.

The Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group is hoping to help an estimated 2,500 amphibians reach their ancestral breeding lake in the valley below.

Toad helper Helen Hobbs said volunteers would be patrolling the road to keep the crossing creatures safe.

She explained amphibians "typically migrate after dusk during February and March".

"In Charlcombe they often become trapped by high stone walls, so volunteers patrol each evening to move the amphibians to a safe release site to allow them to continue their journey.

"It's estimated that 20 tonnes of toads are killed on roads each year so our group is dedicated to doing everything we can to ensure the toad, frog and newt populations at Charlcombe survive."

The road closure has taken place each spring since 2003 and has been agreed by Bath and North East Somerset Council.