The Royal Horticultural Society is asking for £6m in compensation after roadworks cut visitor numbers at RHS Garden Wisley.
Surrey: The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is asking the government for £6m. This is because major roadworks have cut down visitor numbers at RHS Garden Wisley.
They started a petition after noticing 350,000 fewer visitors each year. The roadworks at the M25/A3 interchange are the main cause of this drop.
RHS expects losses to grow from £6m to £11m by the time the £317m roadworks finish. This is a big concern for the charity.
The drop in visitors has delayed new projects, like planting 4,000 trees. They want to study climate resilience for the future.
Alan Titchmarsh, RHS Vice President, highlighted the impact of these losses. He mentioned that the funds could have supported NHS gardens and horticultural apprenticeships.
He urged people to support the petition, saying the losses affect everyone in the UK. The RHS plays a vital role in helping people and the environment.
Over 60,000 people have signed the petition so far. A survey showed that nearly 80% of members visited less often due to the roadworks.
Since the roadworks began in September 2022, visitor numbers have dropped by 25%. Road closures and travel disruptions are the main reasons.
National Highways claims the project will ease congestion and improve traffic flow. They expect it to finish by summer this year, but the RHS believes it may take until 2026.
RHS Director General Clare Matterson expressed concerns about compensation laws. She believes RHS Wisley deserves special consideration as a national treasure.
She noted that the government underestimated the impact of the roadworks. Now, they have evidence showing the harm is as significant as predicted.
