Authorities say the complexity of the project and the scaffolding needed to enable workers to reach heights safely has resulted in increased costs. The last extensive conservation works took place more than 30 years ago.
FILE – A Monday, June 12, 2017, photo from files showing a man working on scaffolding on the Houses of Parliament in London, as scheduled renovation works continue. British authorities say the cost of repairing the tower that houses Big Ben have doubled. Parliamentary authorities said Friday the cost of repairing the Elizabeth Tower is now estimated to be 61 million pounds ($81 million.) It was previously estimated to be 29 million pounds. Authorities say the complexity of the project and scaffolding needed enable workers to reach heights safely resulted in increased costs.
(AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File
People hold up EU flags while the last bell bongs at Elizabeth Tower in London, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. At noon, Big Ben’s famous bongs sounded for the last time before major conservation works are carried out. The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and Big Ben, is currently undergoing a complex programme of renovation work that will safeguard it for future generations. While this vital work takes place, the Great Bell’s world famous striking will be paused until 2021 to ensure the safety of those working in the Tower.
(AP Photo/Leonore Schick)
AP Photo/Leonore Schick
FILE – In this Aug. 3, 2017 file photo, scaffolding is erected around the Elizabeth Tower, which includes the landmark ‘Big Ben’ clock, as part of ongoing conservation efforts at the Palace of Westminster in London. The Big Ben bell is due to sound the hour for the last time at noon on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, before it’s silenced for repair work scheduled to last until 2021.
(AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio, File)
AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio, File
The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and housing the bells Big Ben, is seen in London, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. On Monday 21 August at noon, Big Ben’s famous bongs will sound for the last time before major conservation works are carried out. The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and Big Ben, is currently undergoing a complex programme of renovation work that will safeguard it for future generations. While this vital work takes place, the Great Bell’s world famous striking will be paused until 2021 to ensure the safety of those working in the Tower.
(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
AP Photo/Frank Augstein
The statue of former British Prime Minister David Lloyd George is silhouetted against the Queen Elizabeth Tower which holds the bell known as ‘Big Ben’ in London, Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. Big Ben will fall silent next week in London as a major restoration project gets underway. The bongs of the iconic bell will be stopped on Aug. 21 to protect workers during a four-year, 29-million-pound ($38 million) conservation project that includes repair of the Queen Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben and its clock.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
AP Photo/Alastair Grant
A general view of Palace of Westminster and the Queen Elizabeth Tower which contains the bell known as ‘Big Ben’ in London, Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. Big Ben will fall silent next week in London as a major restoration project gets underway. The bongs of the iconic bell will be stopped on Aug. 21 to protect workers during a four-year, 29-million-pound ($38 million) conservation project that includes repair of the Queen Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben and its clock.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON (AP) — British authorities say the cost of repairing the tower that houses London’s famous Big Ben has doubled.
Parliamentary authorities said Friday the cost of repairing the Elizabeth Tower is now estimated to be 61 million pounds ($81 million). It was previously estimated at 29 million pounds.
Authorities say the complexity of the project and the scaffolding needed to enable workers to reach heights safely has resulted in increased costs. The last extensive conservation works took place more than 30 years ago.
The works have been controversial because Britain’s most famous timekeeper, London’s Big Ben bell, will fall silent on all but a few special occasions during the repairs.
The clock tower — also commonly called Big Ben, but formally named the Elizabeth Tower after Queen Elizabeth II — is one of London’s most-visited buildings.
