The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has received £2.3 million in compensation from the government. This award follows roadworks that impacted its premier garden in Wisley, which the RHS director general, Clare Matterson, described as a “three-year traffic jam.”
The horticulture charity estimated its losses at £13 million due to disruption from upgrades to the A3 and M25. This disruption reportedly led to a reduction of 350,000 visits to the garden each year. A campaign for reimbursement was led by gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh.
Clare Matterson called the compensation process “exhausting,” stating, “I would have loved more. I would have pushed for more. It is what it is, and on we go. I’m grateful that we got something.”