National Highways has advised motorists visiting the RHS Wisley Flower Show this week to allow extra time for their journeys as its major project at M25 Junction 10 continues to cause delays.
With grateful thanks to my neighbour Sir Paul Beresford for including me in a meeting first thing, with David and Laura from @RHSWisley, to discuss impact of M25/A3 works on traffic flows around Wisley Gardens. We hope to meet with National Highways soon to discuss. #Guildford pic.twitter.com/x1iKM0bNbk
— Angela Richardson MP (@AJRichardsonMP) July 17, 2023
The government-owned company issued a press release predicting increased traffic levels in the area without mentioning that it is carrying out a £317m project at the junction of the M25 and A3.
This will provide free-flowing links in each direction in order to address what National Highways says is a longstanding congestion issue on one of busiest sections of the motorway.
During the works, this involves narrow lanes on the M25 and A3 and a reduction in lanes on slip roads and the roundabout at the junction linking the two roads.
Local and social media have repeatedly reported long tailbacks linked to the scheme since it began earlier this year.
On Monday morning, before the show started, there was heavy post-rush hour congestion through the roadworks on all routes (see images).
The RHS garden at Wisley is accessed from the northbound A3 just south of the junction, with southbound drivers having to leave at the next junction and head back via a dedicated lane on the northbound carriageway.
Jonathan Wade, National Highways senior project manager, said: ‘This historic flower show is a long-standing event in the region’s summer calendar, and with thousands of attendees we’re expecting extra vehicles on the road in and around the M25, A3 and surrounding routes.
‘We have worked in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society and Surrey County Council to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.
'However, as with any large event, I would encourage all motorists to check before they travel and leave extra time to complete their journeys.’
National Highways said that during the event it will make temporary changes to the road layout on the A3 northbound to minimise disruption for motorists when leaving the flower show.
A temporary dedicated lane will be in use on the A3 northbound during peak periods (2pm to 6pm) for vehicles exiting Wisley lane.
This will allow vehicles to access the A3 more efficiently as they continue their journey north to Painshill Junction or to the M25 J10 Interchange, National Highways said.
Local MPs Angela Richardson and Sir Paul Beresford visited the scheme in July 'to make sure there is a plan to ensure the RHS Garden Show can go ahead successfully in September while the improvements continue'.
