The UK government has awarded £2.3m in compensation to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) following a three-year traffic jam outside RHS Garden Wisley caused by roadworks on the A3 and M25, theguardian.com reported. The horticulture charity estimated it lost £13m due to the disruption, with annual visitor numbers dropping by 350,000 during the upgrade project.
Roadworks Disrupt Wisley Garden Visits
The compensation payout follows years of disruption for the Surrey-based premier garden. Clare Matterson, the RHS director general, described the compensation process as exhausting. “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,” Matterson told theguardian.com.
A campaign to reimburse the charity was led by gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh. Matterson noted that the government has historically ignored gardening despite its proven health benefits in reducing pressure on the NHS, pointing out that the surface area of UK gardens is three times greater than all of the country’s national nature reserves combined.
Chelsea Flower Show Defended As Chief Fundraiser
The RHS runs the Chelsea flower show, which faced scrutiny this year after losing one of its biggest funders and drawing criticism from commentators who claimed the event had gone “woke” due to its focus on charities and eco-friendly gardens. Matterson issued a direct defense of the exhibition. “Chelsea is our saviour,” she said, adding that tickets sold out ten days before the event opened.
She described the event as “the Olympics of the horticultural world” and noted that it remains the charity’s biggest fundraiser. “People, I guess, complain about anything popular, don’t they,” Matterson said.
Community Gardening Push Targets Unused Land
In the coming year, the RHS plans to drive a massive push toward community gardening by urging local authorities to give pieces of unused land to residents who want to grow vegetables and flowers. A recent survey conducted by the charity found that while about two and a half million people are actively engaged in community gardening, roughly 13 million said they would like to participate. Matterson identified access to land as one of the main barriers.
Matterson is personally involved in a community garden near her home in Suffolk. “What I love about that is that not everybody that comes loves the physical act of gardening,” she said. “Some like making things, and so they’ll be making bird boxes. Some people just want to come and chat.”
NHS Hospital Gardens Boost Staff Retention
Another ongoing project helmed by the RHS aims to integrate gardens into NHS hospitals to provide peace and respite for patients, their families, and medical staff. Hospitals featuring these green spaces are seeing higher retention rates among staff alongside improved morale and wellbeing, according to Matterson.
Rhs Expands Urban Programs to Combat Elitism
Looking ahead, Matterson expressed hope for future government support, noting that Andy Burnham was a frequent visitor to RHS Garden Bridgewater before becoming prime minister. “We know he loves Bridgewater. He talked to me about going with his family, but particularly with his father to Bridgewater, and what an important place it was,” she said.
To combat the historical reputation of elitism surrounding gardening societies, the RHS is working to make its programs as inclusive as possible. The charity is hosting an urban show in Bristol focusing on pot plants, small spaces, and balcony gardens to appeal to a wider audience.
Frequently Asked Questions About RHS Projects
How much compensation did the RHS receive for the Wisley roadworks?
The government awarded £2.3m in compensation to the RHS after roadworks on the A3 and M25 caused a three-year traffic jam outside RHS Garden Wisley.
How many visitors did RHS Garden Wisley lose during the disruption?
Visits to the Surrey garden dropped by 350,000 each year during the three-year period of roadworks.
Who led the campaign to reimburse the horticultural charity?
The gardener and television presenter Alan Titchmarsh led the campaign to reimburse the RHS for its financial losses.
What new event is the RHS hosting to improve accessibility?
The RHS is hosting an urban show in Bristol focused on pot plants, small spaces, and balcony gardens to engage more people in horticulture.
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