Alan urges gardeners to unite to fight threat to 500 precious trees
TV’S Alan Titchmarsh yesterday called on “Britain’s army of 27 million gardeners” to oppose a road-widening scheme that could see more than 500 trees chopped down.
The woodland is part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley, Surrey. It calls a £214million project to widen the A3 the “ultimate garden grab”.
The Grade II-listed gardens could lose 10,000 square yards of woodland, including a tree planted by the Queen to celebrate her Silver Jubilee.
Daily Express gardening expert Alan said: “Wisley is the UK’s centre of excellence for horticulture.
“I’m calling on the UK’s army of 27 million gardeners to make it known that a disregard for these important trees and lack of appreciation of the national importance of this garden would not be acceptable.”
The RHS says there are two options to widen the A3, one on the road’s east side and one on the west.
The west option would take out the protective bank of trees which separates the busy road from the trials field where new varieties of blooms are assessed. RHS director general Sue Biggs said: “The role these trees play in mitigating pollution, giving a home to wildlife and providing a visual and noise barrier to preserve peace and productivity of the Wisley garden cannot be underestimated.”
Highways England project manager Hugh Coakley insisted: “Protecting habitats around Wisley is a priority.
“The junction of the M25 and A3 is one of the busiest in the country and upgrading it will improve people’s journeys and make both roads safer.”