Author: Maggie

Smallbrook Road Closure

Hooray! There is now some protection for the local population of toads during their annual migration to breeding ponds.

Pregnant female toad
Female Toad

Wiltshire Council have put in place a Traffic Regulation Order, restricting motor traffic along parts of Smallbrook Road, for the toad migration season. The road is closed to motor traffic between 5pm and 5am, from 1st February to 30th April, so it is now in force. This TRO has the support of Wiltshire Police. Smallbrook Road car park and Wheelers Lane can still be accessed from Gipsy Lane / Southleigh View. Henfords Marsh can still be accessed from Upper Marsh Road and Lower Marsh Road.

The stretch of Smallbrook Road between the car park and the junction with Henfords Marsh is the protected area, and can no longer be used as a cut-through during evening and night time. This is the same bit of road that frequently floods in heavy rain. The road is not physically blocked off during the night time hours, but it is being monitored. Pedestrians, cyclists and horses are not affected by this order.

Full details published by Wiltshire Council can be found here.

Save our Chalk Streams

We are passing on this message from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Image – Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Chalk streams are rare and irreplaceable habitats that are home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife, including kingfisher, water vole, otter, grayling, and brown trout.

Unfortunately, our chalk streams are under threat from development, pollution, and climate change. A number of Trust’s including the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust are calling for the government to take action to protect these vital ecosystems.

We are asking the government to:

  • Classify chalk streams as irreplaceable habitats.
  • Require new developments to be built further away from chalk streams.
  • Introduce stricter rules to prevent pollution from sewage and agriculture.

You can help protect chalk streams by:

  • Emailing the government using the tool here. 
  • Making a donation to support our work on protecting and conserving chalk streams.
  • Volunteering your time to help our water team with conservation projects.

Together, we can make a difference and protect our chalk streams for future generations.

Sincerely,

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust