It may be one of London’s most iconic landmarks but today, Big Ben’s tower was almost unrecognisable as scaffolding now covers its clock faces.
Repair work began on the 96m-high (312ft) Elizabeth tower in June and slowly the platforms surrounding it have reached higher.
From a distance, the red safety/debris netting attached to its sides almost gives it the appearance of a pagoda.
Big Ben’s tower is almost unrecognisable today as scaffolding now covers its clock faces
From a distance, the red safety/debris netting attached to its sides almost gives it the appearance of a pagoda
Repair work began on the 96m-high (312ft) Elizabeth tower in June and slowly the platforms surrounding it have reached higher
The project was already controversial because it meant silencing the Big Ben bell for four years
It is hoped that one working clock face will be visible for as long as possible during the works, according to Parliament’s official website.
In September, it was revealed that the cost of repairing the monument has more than doubled to £61million after engineers found the job harder than expected.
The project was already controversial because it has meant silencing the Big Ben bell for four years.
But the cost spiralling from £29million to £61million has enraged critics and thrown doubt on the multi-billion pound estimates for renovating the rest of Parliament.
Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects Division Ltd was appointed as the main contractor to deliver the repairs.
Workmen began erecting scaffolding over its famous clock face in June
In September, it emerged that the cost of repairing the monument more than doubled to £61m after engineers found the job harder than expected
The new estimate came after a detailed 16-month study into the project was completed while a vast scaffold was built around the tower.
A greater understanding of the project, more challenging work and worse-than-expected conditions on the ground around the tower have been blamed.
The reglazing of the clock faces are also thought to be more complex than first thought.
The higher budget has already been signed off but MPs responsible for the project have revealed their anger at the higher costs
The higher budget has already been signed off but MPs responsible for the project have revealed their anger at the higher costs.
Work has already been underway for months on the renovation of the Elizabeth Tower, which will seen both the tower itself and the Great Clock repaired and upgraded.
Earlier, Labour MP Stephen Pound, who was furious at the silencing of the clock, said: ‘There are some serious questions to be answered.
‘If they can’t get that right, then how can we have any confidence in the bill for the whole building? It’s the worst parliamentary cost overrun since the last cost overrun.’
Meanwhile, Tory MP Nigel Evans called it a ‘staggering increase’.
David Natzler, the Clerk of the Commons, announced in a statement at the time: ‘We acknowledge that there have been estimating failures and we understand the concern of the Commissions.
The House of Commons Commission said it was ‘disappointed’ in the spiralling costs
‘In advance of tendering contracts, the initial high level estimates were set at a lower level to avoid cost escalation from the market.
‘Subsequent estimates, using better data and more extensive surveys, better reflect the true likelihood of the costs.
‘We believe that we now have a more accurate estimate of the cost of the works and will report regularly to the committees on the progress of work.’
The House of Commons Commission said it was ‘disappointed’ in the spiralling costs in the announcement of the change.
The Mail revealed how MPs called for a review after it emerged they had no idea they had signed off the plan.
The bells, which fell silent in August, will only chime at New Year and Remembrance Day for the next four years.
The bells, which fell silent in August, will only chime at New Year and Remembrance Day for the next four years