The Special Projects Division of Sir Robert McAlpine has secured a £3.5m contract for essential works to conserve the iconic Big Ben bell, clock and Elizabeth Tower in London, according to The New Civil Engineer.
The New Civil Engineer writes:
The contractor has scooped the scaffolding contract and pre-construction service agreement (PCSA) for a three year programme to conserve the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell, also known as Big Ben. The work is due to begin in early 2017.
The company said that the repair problems identified at the Elizabeth Tower and the Great Clock cannot be rectified while the clock is in action.
It explained that the works would include the conservation of significant elements of the tower, repair and redecoration of the interior, renewal of the building services and carrying out work to improve health and safety and fire prevention. The company added that the works would also increase energy efficiency to reduce the tower’s environmental impact.
Construction of the scaffolding on the 96m high tower is expected to last approximately six months. Sir Robert McAlpine said that while the scaffold is in place at least one clock face would be visible at all times.
In addition to the scaffolding contract, the company has also been awarded the PCSA for the remainder of the conservation works. It said that this would be used to allow further detailed planning for the conservation of the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and additional modernisation, while the scaffolding construction was ongoing.
The entire conservation of the Elizabeth Tower is expected to cost £29m.
