Traders' 'traffic chaos' fears over flower show

The Chelsea Flower Show (pictured) is among a number of major events held by the RHS, including this July's week-long show at Wentworth Woodhouse

Owners of businesses in a village where a major national flower show is to be held next month have spoken of their fears over possible "traffic chaos".

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show will take place at Wentworth Woodhouse, a stately home near Rotherham, between 16-20 July.

Amanda Sales, who runs an independent shopping complex opposite the estate, said while people in Wentworth village were "keen" for the event, she asked: "But at what cost? We need to be able to function. The parking situation is a worry: 12,000 a day is a lot of people."

An RHS spokesperson said a traffic management plan would be in place to reduce the impact on "local highways, residents and road users".

It was announced in April 2024 that the much-loved RHS Flower Show would be coming to South Yorkshire this year, with other locations around the country also to be used in future.

The RHS explained that the aim of holding the event in new places was to "promote gardening to as many people as possible".

Amanda Sales, from The Emporium in Wentworth, said she was afraid the village's roads would be hit by "gridlock" during the event

Ms Sales, who has run The Emporium on Cortworth Lane in Wentworth for 25 years, said the RHS gardening charity had "underestimated" the impact the event could have on the village and surrounding area.

"I don't think they realise how busy this road can get. An accident on the M1 and things get very interesting. It'll be traffic chaos," she warned.

"With the best traffic management in the world, you can't control the through traffic and the people that aren't supposed to be here."

Ms Sales said her "biggest fear is the gridlock".

"We had a little taster of this recently with a car show at the house, and it was backed up in both directions," she said.

Meanwhile, Dave Smith, whose antique furniture store has been a fixture in Wentworth village for many decades, said he was also concerned.

He said he was worried about the area's infrastructure being able to cope with an influx of traffic, with particular fears over the "narrow country roads".

"People will be arriving from all over the North, but they won't understand there's four to five entrances to the site," he explained.

"There's enough land in there for parking, but it needs to flow and I can foresee problems."

Other business owners who spoke to the BBC, but who did not wish to be named, said they might shut up shop entirely for the five days of the event.

However, Dan Wilde, who has run the Village Shop for just over a year, said he would be opening as usual after receiving "assurances" from RHS Flower Show organisers.

"Fingers crossed it'll go well, but I do worry about the parking," he said.

"If you see an empty space in the village, you're going to take it.

"It might not be positive for the week they're here, but until it's definitely a negative, we have to see it as a positive," he said.

Dan Wilde, from the Village Shop in Wentworth, said he had his "fingers crossed" there would be no issues

In a statement responding to traders' concerns, an RHS spokesperson said the organisation was "incredibly mindful of the experiences of both the local community and our visitors".

The RHS consulted "local partners, such as the local council, emergency services, Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, and nearby landowners to ensure we plan each event meticulously and prioritise the safety of all", the spokesperson said.

Temporary traffic control measures would be in place for the event, they said, including "20mph speed restrictions, temporary no waiting or parking orders, temporary traffic signals, traffic officers directing traffic, and multiple access points into and from the site".

The spokesperson added that everyone involved was "incredibly excited" to bring an RHS Flower Show to Rotherham, "and to work with local communities, businesses and organisations to deliver an amazing show full of unique gardens, talks and tips, children's activities, floral installations and refreshments to enjoy".

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