THE path of true love ran smoother for hundreds of migrating toads yesterday when a road leading to their breeding pond was temporarily closed to traffic.

But while a barrier was placed across Deadman's Lane, in Blackhall, on the east Durham coast, there was no immediate show of gratitude from the amorous amphibians, who put romance to one side and laid low amid all the activity.

Each year, columns of common toads have been faced with running a traffic gauntlet along the road as they made for a neighbouring stretch of water in which to spawn.

With so many dying beneath car wheels in the past, Durham County Council decided to step in and impose a temporary road closure.

The road barrier is the latest move in a number of life saving measures introduced by County Council Countryside Rangers who in the past have set up a rescue service and carried as many toads as they could across the lane after dark.

County council ecologist Terry Coult said: "The toads hibernate on dry land away from their breeding pond and then, in the spring, trek the 500 metres to the water to breed, usually on the first mild nights in March or April.

"In the past, hundreds of toads have been killed on this short stretch of road."

This year it was decided to place a barrier across the lane to allow the toads to make their journey in safety.

Common toads are included in the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan and are under threat, with numbers falling across the country.

Mr Coult said: "We support the action plan, and the temporary road closure is part of our commitment and positive attitude to nature conservation in the county.

"We hope that drivers who do use Deadman's Lane will understand that the closure for just a few days is an important element of wildlife conservation in the county."

With the way clear and traffic-free, it is hoped that many more common toads will reach their spawning ground, even though they were too shy to venture out yesterday.