The course of true love never did run smooth, so said Lysander to his young love Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

And the saying could not be more apt for the scene being played out in Church Road, Ham – but the main players are not characters from Shakespeare’s romantic play, they are randy toads willing to risk life and limb to mate.

The daredevil reptiles have been making the dangerous 100m journey to the safety of Ham Common as they prepare to spawn during their breeding season, which lasts just two weeks.

But unfortunately for the green common toads, crossing the busy road under the cover of darkness is not the safest journey in the world – and so far nearly 100 have been killed by motorists who have failed to spot them.

The council has put up temporary signs urging motorists to be aware of the night-time activities of the toads in an effort to stop the high death toll in its tracks.

And as several hundred more toads prepare to make the journey this week, residents have been getting involved and adding to the warnings with their very own hand drawn signs as they try to stop any more of the creatures from being squished.

Ishbel Murray, Richmond Council’s assistant director for the environment, said: “We’re asking motorists to remember they are driving through a lively wildlife habitat, and to slow down and let any toads pass that they see on the roads.

“They usually make the journey at dusk, more often than not in damp conditions, and the breeding period should last for two weeks a year.”

Many road users, who initially thought the signs were an April Fool’s joke, said that they had been amused at the “liveliness” of the toads since they realised the signs were for real.

Mathew Frith, deputy chief executive of the London Wildlife Trust, said: “In spring toads migrate across roads to find breeding ponds. Many die on this journey as evidence suggests many UK toad populations are declining.”