Froglife’s Toads on Roads project has been running for many, many years and, thanks to the hard work of toad patrollers, thousands of toads are rescued every year. However, common toads are under threat. One of the main reasons being more deaths on roads due to traffic values increasing and more and more roads being constructed on valuable toad habitat.
Stewartfield Heritage Loch, one of the many valued Toads on Roads crossing sites, is under threat due to an application to build a dual carriageway. Situated on the edge of a built-up area, Stewartfield Heritage Park provides a crucial habitat for common toads. It features the 16-acre loch and excellent surrounding habitat as well as supporting a nature reserve with a large pond where toads are able to breed. Many of the toads who depend on the park for their survival migrate to wider habitats on the opposite side of the busy Stewartfield Way. Toads already face danger when crossing this road, the dualling of this would make it almost impossible for them to cross without being killed and would significantly encroach into their essential habitat.
The crossing manager really needs your help to object to the construction. Please click this link and remember to include the points below in your objection. (see Froglife’s objection letter here) The closing date for this is 20th December:
- The toads will be killed when crossing the road en-masse during their spring migration to breed (which is essential for survival of the population) and when migrating to wider habitats, including gardens on the other side of the road. Baby toads will be killed as they emerge from the pond en-masse in summer.
- The widening of the road will bring it directly adjacent to the breeding pond, removing the current screening, and will destroy a large amount of the habitat toads require for refuge, foraging and hibernation. During the construction phase of the road, the habitat where the toads live and need to cross will be totally unviable, and many will undoubtedly be killed.
- Toad populations have declined by 68% in the last 30 years. A large cause of this is deaths on roads and loss of habitat. This development would seriously threaten this crucial toad population. It is essential to protect our common toads for future generations.
Pictured: the breeding pond and one of the many toads that use it
Pictured: The loch