Letter: RHS Should Care More About the Planet Than More Car Parking

Published on: 7 Jun, 2023
Updated on: 7 Jun, 2023

From: Jenny Grove

In response to: We Must Be Vigilant Against the Threat of Creeping Urbanisation

I wonder if Ripley Parish Council has had any comment on this planning application. It does not appear that it has and was presumably not considered a close enough neighbour.

However, with RHS encouraging even more visitors to their gardens by planning to provide yet more car parking, it should not be forgotten that as a result of the current M25/A3 roadworks, a lot more traffic will have to drive through Ripley to access Wisley Lane.

There will be no direct access from or onto the A3 northbound with Wisley village and the RHS gardens. People driving from Guildford will have to exit the A3 at Send, drive through Ripley village to the roundabout on the northern side of the village and from there access the new road on the eastern side of the A3 which will lead over a new bridge into Wisley Lane. The new Wisley Lane link bridge is currently being constructed.

I am surprised that RHS is not satisfied with its current amount of car parking. Surely a limit has already been reached. I would expect it to take more responsibility for the welfare of the planet rather than encouraging even more car use.

As for Guildford Borough Council, I agree with both Harry Salaman and Ramsay Nagaty in their condemnation of GBC’s lack of enforcement against the RHS in their use of overflow car parks.

Responses to Letter: RHS Should Care More About the Planet Than More Car Parking

Peter Howden Reply

June 9, 2023 at 3:22 pm

Car park 4 is actually part of the “Sports” field and has been used for over 30 years.

It was always used as the overflow car park when I started working for the Wisley book and gift shop, back in 1996. The only extension that was carried out to parking was the car park that runs parallel to the “concrete road”. Where the trees were thinned out, without any complaints that I recall.

I worked for RHSE for over 20 years. The E stands for enterprise, which is the commercial side of the RHS.
Sue Platt Reply

June 17, 2023 at 11:08 am

I absolutely agree with the comments by Jenny and Harry regarding the RHS and their never ending desire for carparking.

The increase in traffic through Wisley village, Pyrford, and both West Byfleet and Byfleet village, particularly whilst the M25/A3 junction is developed, will be ridiculous – and all over the tiny bridge at The Anchor!

The RHS is supposed to represent horticulture and whilst I appreciate things need money to run, grow and develop it’s rather ironic we are all being told to “green-up” while they are bringing even more vehicles into the area.
Jack Wells Reply

June 23, 2023 at 2:12 pm

I absolutely agree with the comments by Sue Platt and Jenny Grove regarding the RHS and their never ending desire for car parking.

I cannot see how Wisley Lane can take anymore traffic, when having a drink in the Anchor pub and watching the traffic trying to manoeuvre over the very small bridge is a show in itself let alone adding another couple of thousand cars. Also, who would want to run a business from the offices down there when you’d probably not be able to get in or out with the amount of traffic.

I cross Wisely Lane most days with my dogs and even though I’m very careful when I cross I have still been caught out on a few occasions on the bend by the church and adding more traffic does concern me as they do come round the bend rather fast.

The whole M25/A3 junction development is giving, and is going to give, the surrounding towns and villages a big enough headache without adding salt to the wound and putting another few thousand cars in the mix.

It’s only a lane, not a revenue vein for the RHS.
Paul Reading Reply

October 17, 2023 at 12:29 pm

“There will be no direct access from or onto the A3 northbound” Does this mean that there will be no access from Ripley to the A3 London Bound and therefore you would have to go back to Burpham and do a u-turn?
- Jim Allen Reply
  
  October 17, 2023 at 6:44 pm
  
  Martin,,
  
  You will travel under the new bridge but the RHS entry is closed at this location full details at national Highways Web site