NORFOLK EASTERN DAILY PRESS (UK) 08 December 05 £3000 to improve road, for toads (Lorna Marsh)
It might not seem much to us, but to one vulnerable group, a few inches off the height of a kerbstone could mean the difference between life and death.
Up to £3000 of council money is to be spent on helping an endangered species of toad cross the road safely by lowering the kerbs as well as installing road signs.
Around 80pc of the natterjack toads which cross New Road and Chapel Break Road in Bowthorpe to get to a nearby lake to spawn are harmed or killed.
They are either run over or fall down drains after being unable to get back on to the path.
Previously, volunteers have turned out to help the toads cross the road safely but, after the Norwich Toad Watch group lobbied the city council, money is to be used from the environmental management budget for safety measures.
As well as lowering the kerb, 'toad crossing' signs will be put up to alert drivers to the amphibians as well as additional temporary signs provided to Toad Watch to use during the mass migration to the lake in the spring.
Phil Insley, of Toad Watch, said he was pleased the city council had decided to take action.
And Adrian Ramsay, Green party councillor, who has worked with Toad Watch to lobby the council for funding, said: "I am delighted that the council has agreed to take these relatively cheap and straightforward measures to reduce the number of toads and frogs that are killed when crossing the roads. As this road has been built on the migratory route of the toads and frogs, the council has an obligation to help."
A council spokeswoman said that it was glad to have helped.
£3000 to improve road, for toads