Alan Titchmarsh has voiced his support for the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) appeal for compensation after prolonged roadworks at the M25 and A3 junction have led to a significant hit for the income at RHS Wisley. Since the roadworks began in 2022, the charity reports a 25% drop in visitors, amounting to 350,000 fewer people and a staggering £6 million in lost revenue.
The Surrey Advertiser reports that the impact has been described as “catastrophic” by Titchmarsh, who highlighted the broader consequences not just for the RHS but for the entire country. “The RHS does vital work, educating and supporting millions of gardeners,” he said. “Gardens and gardening bring immense benefits to health, the environment, wildlife, and biodiversity, safeguarding the future for generations to come.”
The charity says the financial strain has forced delays to key projects, including the development of a new arboretum and the planting of 4,000 trees to investigate climate resilience. Funding for research into nature-based solutions to environmental challenges has also been reduced, alongside cuts to community outreach work and a 10% reduction in student training.
The article goes to quote Clare Matterson, director general of the RHS, who said, “The highways compensation laws are complicated and unlikely to enable the RHS to recoup these losses. If ever there was a special case for compensation, surely RHS Wisley stands out as a national treasure that needs to be upheld and prized.”
A recent poll of RHS members revealed that 80% had visited Wisley less frequently in the past year, citing multiple road closures and severe disruption as the reason. In addition to lost admission fees, the decline in visitors has impacted revenue from Wisley’s shops and cafes.
The £317 million M25/A3 upgrade is set to be completed next year, but the RHS is urging the government to provide compensation for the disruption caused. Titchmarsh has called on the public to sign a petition in support of the appeal, emphasising the vital role horticulture plays in addressing environmental and societal challenges.
The RHS hopes its plea will highlight the need to protect organisations that contribute so much to the nation’s ecosystem, education, and well-being.
The M25 /A3 junction upgrade scheme is scheduled to be completed next year.
You can view and sign the petition HERE
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