Toads living 'happily ever after'

The toad hole is being created to cut the number of road deaths

A "des res" for toads is being created in East Sussex so they can breed without risking death on the busy A275.

South East Water is building the "toad hole" with three pools and numerous hibernation sites, at their Water Treatment Works in Offham.

The area is suitable for toads to live in all year round to help prevent them looking for breeding sites elsewhere.

It follows failed efforts by volunteers and conservation groups to prevent increasing numbers of toad deaths.

South East Water spokeswoman Emma Goddard said the path of true love had never run smooth for lovelorn toads on busy roads.

But she said the company was trying to pave the way for a "happy-ever-after ending".

Marshland 'toad hole'

She said: "It has been very sad to see continuing numbers of toads being killed on the road despite everyone's extensive efforts.

"With our treatment works forming part of the toad's favourite courting spot, we've decided to create a special habitat on our site which will be suitable for the toads to live in all year round and, hopefully, will keep them away from the hazards of the road."

Ms Goddard said large populations of common toad used to live in marshes and wet woodland at Offham, but many had been killed on the A275 Offham Road which they cross to breed and hibernate.

The "toad hole" is being created at the Offham Water Treatment Works, which is within the Offham Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest in the South Downs.

The site has about 10 hectares of wet woodland, grazing marsh, fen and dry grassland near Offham village.

Environmentalists will carefully monitor and manage the pools over the next few months to ensure the project is a success, Ms Goddard said.