Charlcombe Lane in Bath has closed to traffic for the annual migration of toads, frogs and newts, with only residents’ access permitted until Sunday 29th March.
The seasonal closure, one of only five such road closures in the UK, has played a crucial role in keeping the local amphibian population stable over the past 23 years.
Each evening from dusk, volunteers from the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group will patrol the lane, helping common toads, common frogs and newts safely cross as they make their way to their breeding lake.
Wearing high-visibility jackets and armed with torches and buckets, volunteers will collectively spend more than 600 hours walking up and down the road, carefully picking up amphibians using latex-free, powder-free gloves – to avoid any chemicals from their hands – before carrying them in buckets to designated drop-off points closer to the lake.
Last year, more than fifty volunteers helped 3,995 amphibians across a half-mile stretch of Charlcombe Lane on the northern edge of Bath, taking the total recorded over the last twenty-three years to more than 50,000.
The 2025 patrol recorded the second highest number of amphibians since the closure began in 2003, and included a landmark moment: the first ever sighting of a great crested newt on the patrol.
Two of the three busiest years for the group were 2025 and 2024, with the highest ever counts recorded in 2010.
It was also the best year on record for frogs (1,424) and palmate newts (1,194), while 1,376 toads were helped across the road – their best total since 2010.
Before Charlcombe Lane was closed each spring, around 62% of migrating amphibians were killed by traffic. In 2025, that casualty rate had fallen to just 3%.
Helen Hobbs, who has managed the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group since 2003, said: “Closing Charlcombe Lane, with the support of the local community, has been a game changer.
“It has meant that our population of toads, frogs and newts have been able to buck national trends and stand a fighting chance of flourishing.
“With a changing climate it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict the peak times for amphibian movements, that is why closing the road for six weeks makes such a difference.
“Last year the peak movement was 19–23 February, in 2024 it was slightly earlier in mid-February and in 2023 it was mid-late March.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council has supported the patrol and annual closure since 2003, while the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group fundraises to cover advertising costs, and VolkerHighways sponsors the scheme by providing signage each year.
Charlie Cox, Project Manager for VolkerHighways, said: “We are proud to support such a worthy group, who are working to improve and save the lives of thousands of amphibians each year.
“The work the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group does is hugely impressive, and we are delighted that we are able to contribute to its successful work.”
Sheila Gundry, Head of Operations at Froglife, said: “Charlcombe Lane Toad Patrol is a wonderful wildlife success story. The volunteers are really committed and effective, with long term expertise on how best to save amphibians as they cross the road.
“The Road Closure makes a significant difference and we really appreciate the support of the local residents. The local landowners do a great job looking after the breeding lake and foraging grounds.
“As a result of this support from all sides, we have a fantastic healthy amphibian population.”
