The RHS has secured a £2.3 million settlement from National Highways – far short of the £13 million losses caused by the extensive disruption of the A3/M25 roadworks between 2022 and 2026 – but still significant enough to help bolster its important charitable work.

Despite some expectations that the RHS would receive nothing, making the compensation a relative win for the charity, the £2.3 million settlement is £11 million short of its losses, after the roadworks cut annual visits to RHS Garden Wisley by 350,000.

The £11 million loss is substantial for a gardening charity, but small change against the £317 million road scheme.

Clare Matterson, RHS Director General, said: “We cannot thank our members, our Ambassador Alan Titchmarsh, our garden visitors and some 95,000 people who signed our petition to support the compensation claim enough. 

“It’s been a long, time consuming and resource heavy process to get to where we have and whilst the roadworks have still significantly hurt and impacted this charity, we have at least achieved over £2 million and will now continue to move forward and focus on delivering our charitable purpose. 

“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.

“Thankfully all the roads to one of the nation’s best loved gardens are now open and running well, which is brilliant, and it has been wonderful to welcome our visitors back to the glorious and gorgeous RHS Wisley gardens, showcasing horticultural highlights throughout the year.”