UK Government Awards £2.3 Million to Royal Horticultural Society
The British government awarded £2.3 million to the Royal Horticultural Society for traffic disruptions that caused significant visitor losses at its Wisley garden.
The Government of the United Kingdom has awarded £2.3 million in compensation to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) following three years of traffic disruption caused by upgrades to the A3 and M25. The settlement follows claims from the RHS that roadworks led to a decrease of 350,000 annual visits to its premier garden in Wisley and total losses estimated at £13 million.
RHS Director General Clare Matterson described the compensation process as exhausting. While she expressed gratitude for the payment, she noted that she would have pushed for a higher amount.
Beyond the settlement, Matterson defended the Chelsea Flower Show against critics who labeled the event woke, characterizing the show as the Olympics of the horticultural world and the charity's primary fundraiser. The RHS is currently expanding its focus toward inclusivity through a new urban show in Bristol and a national push for community gardening. Matterson also intends to integrate gardens into NHS hospitals to improve patient wellbeing and staff retention, seeking support for these initiatives from Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
