

Issues cited include extensive erosion and water damage throughout the palace, with the building’s old pipes and electrics cause for particular concern. Shortly after the works are finished, a massive, £3.5 billion ($4.5bn) restoration program will get underway to modernize the crumbling and rapidly deteriorating Palace of Westminster, forcing lawmakers to relocate to another building.Īs a national icon and UNESCO World Heritage Site, its renovation represents a hugely complex operation, and the high costs have been criticized by several MPs.īut a report issued in September 2016 by a special joint committee of MPs and members of the House of Lords warned of an “impending crisis” that could not responsibly be ignored. Once works are complete, visitors will be able to use a lift inside the structure. JLONDON For five years, the most famous clock tower in Britain was hidden behind an ugly fortress of scaffolding, and its hourly bong was rendered mute.
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The full scale of structural problems “was only revealed once the project team was able to begin intrusive surveys for the first time ever on the 177-year-old structure,” it added.īut the rising costs could anger critics of the lengthy and expensive renewal program set to get underway at the Houses of Parliament over the next decade.Ī water leak in Parliament prompted the closure of the Commons - and a flood of metaphorsīig Ben – a popular tourist attraction – has been surrounded by scaffolding since 2017. Plans are still on track to complete the restoration in 2021, the statement said.ĭecay and damage to “hundreds of intricate carvings,” an “extensive use” of toxic lead paint and broken glass in the clock dials were also discovered, and the commission managing the project said an additional clock expert was also needed. The 19th century Gothic building has been wrapped in scaffolding since 2017, and the cost of restorations will now rise from £61.1m to £79.7m ($79.7m to $104m). The tower is often colloquially referred to as Big Ben, which is actually the nickname of the main bell housed within the tower (formally known as the Great. In a statement, the House of Commons – which is housed in an adjoining part of the same building – said remnants from Nazi Germany’s bombing campaign in London were discovered along with pollution and asbestos in the Elizabeth Tower – more commonly known by the name of its iconic clock. Big Ben is one of Londons most famous landmarks and recognised across the world instantly and a must-see tourist attraction whilst visiting London. Workers have discovered “extensive” World War II bomb damage on the tower that houses London’s famous Big Ben clock, which will force the cost of restoring it to rise by £18.6 million ($24.3m).
