Why was Big Ben covered in scaffolding?

Why was Big Ben covered in scaffolding? What is officially known as the Great Clock of Westminster was surrounded by scaffolding in 2017 for crews to not only work on rehabbing the exterior but also attend to the massive mechanisms that power the four-faced clock.

Why is Big Ben so famous?

Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock. That iconic silhouette is instantly recognisable and is one of the most Instagrammed landmarks on the planet. Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have come and gone since the bells first struck their now familiar music across Westminster.

How long did Big Ben take to renovate?

The five-year restoration of the Elizabeth Tower involved extensive scaffolding, 500 workers and ended up running £51m over budget. The clock's iconic dials have been restored to their original colour - Prussian blue - after experts discovered the shade under layers of black paint.

What was the original cost of the Big Ben?

The original cost of the project to the taxpayers and creditors was estimated to be roughly £29 million, but this was then more than doubled, to £69 million.

Did Big Ben stop ringing?

The 13-tonne Big Ben bell was largely silenced for five years while a major restoration of the Elizabeth Tower took place, with the “bongs” finally resuming regular service in November 2022.

Can anyone go inside Big Ben?

All visitors allowed on Elizabeth Tower/Big Ben tours must be UK residents. There are no exceptions to this. Visitors must be over 11 years old. Visitors must be able to climb all 334 steps unaided without assistance.

What is Big Ben changing its name to?

In 2012, the tower commonly called Big Ben was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen. It is the most recent twist in a long history of confusing names and nicknames.

Why did they turn off Big Ben?

Although the clock will only be out of action for two years, the bells have to be silenced for the entire renovation period to protect the workers' hearing. The Big Ben bell weighs 13.76 tonnes and chimes at 118 decibels. At that volume, people would suffer hearing damage after just 14 seconds of exposure.

How is Big Ben powered?

Weighing around five tons and housed directly beneath the belfry, the clock mechanism consists of three trains, or sections: the going train, which advances the four sets of hands; the chiming train, which pulls the cables that make the four quarter bells ring; and the striking chain, which powers the giant hammer that ...

What happens if Big Ben stops?

1716: The bell from the clock tower is recast and later hung in the South West Tower of St Paul's Cathedral. If Big Ben is ever unable to strike, the bell in St Paul's is heard instead.

What are 3 interesting facts about Big Ben?

Is the gold on Big Ben real?

On 27 July 2012, Big Ben chimed 30 times, to mark the start of the Olympic games. And a final fact for you – the gold decorations at the top of the clock are real. It is genuine 23 carat gold as as fake gold would wear off more easily, so this is actually a cheaper alternative.

How much did the scaffolding cost of Big Ben?

The approximate fee value for the scaffolding construction and PCSA is £3.5m. The conservation of the Elizabeth Tower as a whole is expected to cost £29m. In addition to the scaffolding contract, Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects Division has also been awarded the PCSA for the remainder of the conservation works.

What is the secret room in Big Ben?

114 steps up inside the tower is the Prison Room, but you don't need to worry about being locked up there yourself. The prison room was used for MPs who breached codes of conduct, but it hasn't been used since 1880.