Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing special compensation to the Royal Horticultural Society to to continue its environmental and scientific research for its estimated £6 million financial loss since the improvement works to Junction 10 of the M25 began in 2023.

National Highways is funded by the public purse and provides compensation as established in legislation across all its projects and schemes, to ensure appropriate use of taxpayers’ money. While there are compensation arrangements for permanent adverse impacts, it is a generally held principle that the public purse does not compensate business for loss of earnings during temporary road works. National Highways will continue to work with RHS Wisley on this important project and are determined to complete the work as soon as possible.

As the project nears completion, National Highways’ communications approach will progressively highlight aspects of the scheme as they are opened to traffic. National Highways will involve RHS Wisley, and neighbouring stakeholders in design of communications to highlight how the improved junction will provide safer access and support the local community. The completed scheme will incorporate a full suite of signs that will direct road users to RHS Wisley.