‘People complain about anything popular’: the RHS boss taking on traffic jams and Chelsea critics

Exclusive: Clare Matterson, the head of the Royal Horticultural Society, talks about the charity's 2.3m roadworks compensation, community gardening and her high hopes for Andy Burnham

The government has awarded 2.3m in compensation to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) after roadworks affecting its premier garden in Wisley caused a three-year traffic jam".

The horticulture charity estimated it lost 13m due to disruption caused by the upgrade to the A3 and M25, with visits to the garden each year cut by 350,000. A campaign to reimburse the charity was led by the gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh.