Toad rescuers 'saddened' after sign stolen

A group of toad rescuers say they were left disappointed after a road closure sign was stolen.

The sign had been put up on Smallbrook Road in Warminster, Wiltshire to protect the amphibians from being killed by cars.

Volunteers from Warminster Toad Patrol put up the heavy sign on 1 February, but it was stolen within 24 hours.

The group's Ria Painter-Coates said: "It's a real feeling of disappointment that a single person has decided to do something which has quite a detrimental effect."

She added: "We're only a small team, we're all volunteers. Anytime we pay for something we have to fundraise for it."

Smallbrook Road is closed each year from 1 February to 30 April, from Gypsy Lane to Upper Marsh Road, to help protect migrating toads.

As the weather gets warmer, the animals make their way from the woodlands to their ancestral ponds to breed.

Volunteers from Warminster Toad Patrol take shifts each night to ensure drivers are not ignoring the road closure and also monitor the numbers of toads.

Painter-Coates added: "It had been less than 24 hours from when it went out and when we realised it had been taken.

"The signs are really helpful because they are a large visual clue to remind them of the restrictions of driving on the road."

The road closure on Smallbrook Road is supported by Warminster Town Council, the police and community speedwatch, with potential fines for drivers breaching the closure.

A town council spokesperson said: "We are lucky enough in Warminster to have some amazing ancestral breeding ponds, but to get to those ponds the toads must navigate across roads, with one of the places they cross being Smallbrook Road going through the nature reserve.

"With your help simply taking a different route, you will help us to protect these amazing creatures and give them a chance to not only survive but thrive."

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