The BBC reports that repair costs for the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster have doubled to an estimated £61m, parliamentary authorities have said, with FAQs also available online.
Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament
The BBC writes:
The project is more complex and extensive than originally thought, when the estimate of £29m to £45m was made.
While there were ‘unique challenges’ in working on a historic site, Parliament said it was disappointed at the rising bill and would launch a review.
Big Ben chimed for the last time in August pending the work beginning.
The rising cost was announced as Parliament confirmed it had appointed construction firm Robert McAlpine to carry out the renovation, which could take up to four years, following a tendering process.
The authorities said the revised figure followed more detailed and technical assessment of the 160-year-old Tower’s condition, including the state of stonework and the cost of removing and repainting the metal in the tower and reglazing the clock face.
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