If you have visited RHS Garden Wisley recently, you will have seen the start of works by National Highways to improve road links at the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange. More information about the work and why it is happening can be found on the National Highways website.
RHS Garden Wisley remains fully open throughout the work and we look forward to welcoming you to the garden. Please read our Q&As for more information.
Safeguarding RHS Wisley’s trees
Over several years the RHS has worked to protect Wisley’s trees from the proposed works. Our campaign, which saw more than 134,000 people sign a petition opposing the plans, did have some considerable success and we’re grateful to everyone who supported it.
Earlier proposals would have placed a number of trees within the garden at risk, including several Grade II and Grade II* Heritage Trees which were threatened by felling or undermining root strength during the development. Thanks to our petition, the scheme was altered and the approved plans will not take any land that is part of the garden. We have been able to safeguard everything within our boundary, including some giant redwoods, several Champion trees and rare hybrid trees.
The amended National Highways scheme was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2022 and is therefore going ahead. While the RHS was successful in protecting all of our heritage trees and accessioned tree collections, we are sad to say that there will be felling of some trees by the National Highways scheme, outside of the garden and along the A3 boundary before visitors arrive at the RHS Garden Wisley entrance. You may notice this clearance of land when you next visit.
Since the work was given the go ahead by the Secretary of State, the RHS has been working with National Highways to minimise any disruption to our visitors and to advise on the best planting to support wildlife and biodiversity when the scheme plants trees alongside new areas of road in the future.
For more information on the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange scheme, please see the National Highways website.
If you have any questions about the scheme, please get in touch with National Highways on 0300 123 5000 or [email protected].
