RHS says £2.3m M25 works compensation 'far short'

7 hours ago

Bob Dale and Kate Relton South East

The improvement works to the Wisley interchange caused disruption for four years

Getty Images An ariel view of the M25/A3 interchange, with a flyovers carrying traffic on a duel carriageway over the six-lane motorway. — The improvement works to the Wisley interchange caused disruption for four years

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has said compensation for disruption caused by a major road building project is "far short" of the amount it lost.

The £2.3m secured in a settlement from National Highways was not sufficient, the RHS said, to compensate for the disruption at its Wisley site, which it says caused £13m losses and led to 350,000 fewer visitors annually.

The work by National Highways saw improvements on junction 10 of the M25 and A3, with road closures and diversions between 2022 and 2026.

National Highways has been contacted for comment.

The Royal Horticultural Gardens at Wisley attract thousands of visitors a year

Getty Images A view of ponds in the gardens of Wisley RHS in Surrey. Rectangular water features surrounded by lawns and shrubs, lead to a single-storey building. — The Royal Horticultural Gardens at Wisley attract thousands of visitors a year

TV presenter and RHS vice president Alan Titchmarsh was a leading member of a campaign to win the RHS compensation.

The RHS said although the settlement was "far short of the £13m losses caused by the extensive disruption", the compensation would help bolster its charitable work.

Clare Matterson, RHS director general, said it had been a "long, time-consuming and resource-heavy process" to get to the current point.

"Whilst the roadworks have still significantly hurt and impacted this charity, we have at least achieved over £2m and will now continue to move forward and focus on delivering our charitable purpose," she added.

"We are grateful for the result, which all helps to support our vast outreach community gardening programmes, our incredible schools gardening initiatives and our leading science research."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.