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England is stepping up its environmentalism game. A road in London has been completely closed off for more than three weeks – just so a load of toads can cross to the ponds where they breed every year.

Closed For Drivers, Open For Toads

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A London road is officially closed to traffic so toads can safely migrate this spring. Church Road section in Ham, located close to Richmond in London, will be closed off until the beginning of April. Previously, the road – which is now controlled by volunteers at night – was a huge issue for the toads. Drivers ran over the creatures frequently as they crossed. Fortunately, locals are more than supportive of the closure. They proudly call the change “very British” and say it can be found “only in England.” Charity Froglife is responsible for the volunteer work and is a part of the eco-conscious project. Apart from Church Road, other roads with toads remain blocked off as well thanks to the organization, which began making changes on March 7.

An official council road traffic order is in action. “The road closure is intended to allow the toads to cross the carriageway unharmed and to eliminate the risk of accidents if drivers were to be distracted by the presence of these creatures in their path,” it states. But the initial movement launched long ago. Back in 2010, many locals turned to council bosses to raise awareness about the toads getting killed. Now, the new rule is birthing positivity among the community – passersby love to photograph the sign “road closed for migrating toads. Toad patrol volunteers on the road.” It may have even become one of the most popular road signs in England.

England Supports Wildlife Protection

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Of course, social media websites like Facebook and Reddit are full of these pictures as well. Funny and supportive comments are piling in! “’I think it is fantastic,” one Richmond local wrote. “To have that amount of consideration for toads I think is incredible. I have never actually seen any toads and only once saw someone we thought might be a volunteer but I think it is great.”

“I think it is a good idea to protect the toads. This is not a road you desperately need to drive down and it has gone on without causing any complaints. Only people from outside the area would complain if they can’t park,” another one wrote. Comments like this are popular on social media, showing that people in the area are supportive of protecting wildlife, especially since the roads are not essential for drivers. “It is cute. Only in England would you close a road for toads to cross,” stated a third commenter. “I have never seen the toads but I have seen the volunteers.”

“We are in England, luckily we can afford to think of such things,” another person concluded. “We are lucky enough to be in a first world country where we can worry about toads.”

Sources: People, The London Economic