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| Big Ben's bongs to fall silent until 2021 for repairs | Big Ben's bongs to fall silent until 2021 for repairs |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Big Ben's famous chimes will fall silent from next week until 2021 to allow essential repair works to take place. | |
| The bongs will sound for the final time at midday on Monday before being disconnected to allow the clock and surrounding tower to be restored. | The bongs will sound for the final time at midday on Monday before being disconnected to allow the clock and surrounding tower to be restored. |
| The Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years. | The Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years. |
| It last fell silent in 2007 and before that, for major refurbishments between 1983 and 1985. | It last fell silent in 2007 and before that, for major refurbishments between 1983 and 1985. |
| Parliamentary authorities said stopping Big Ben - the commonly used name for the Palace of Westminster's Elizabeth Tower - would protect workers carrying out the repairs. | Parliamentary authorities said stopping Big Ben - the commonly used name for the Palace of Westminster's Elizabeth Tower - would protect workers carrying out the repairs. |
| It will still sound for important events including New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday. | It will still sound for important events including New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday. |
| The clock's keeper, Steve Jaggs, said Big Ben falling silent was a "significant milestone" in the project to restore the tower. | The clock's keeper, Steve Jaggs, said Big Ben falling silent was a "significant milestone" in the project to restore the tower. |
| "This essential programme of works will safeguard the clock on a long term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home - the Elizabeth Tower," he added. | "This essential programme of works will safeguard the clock on a long term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home - the Elizabeth Tower," he added. |
| Big Ben basics | Big Ben basics |
| The landmark Elizabeth Tower is said to be the most photographed building in the UK. | The landmark Elizabeth Tower is said to be the most photographed building in the UK. |
| Scaffolding is up and repair work has already started. | |
| The project's principal architect Adam Watrobski told the BBC the works would install new amenities in the tower, including a lift, toilet and kitchen. | |
| Essential maintenance will also be carried out and the building will be made more energy efficient. | |
| As well as conservation work to the tower, the Great Clock will be dismantled piece-by-piece and its four dials will be cleaned and repaired. | |
| The Ayrton Light, which shines when Parliament is sitting, will also be renovated. | |
| During the repair work, an electric motor will drive the clock hands until the main mechanism has been restored, so it will continue to tell the time. | During the repair work, an electric motor will drive the clock hands until the main mechanism has been restored, so it will continue to tell the time. |
| However, the faces will need to be temporarily covered while the clock is undergoing maintenance. | |
| The wider Parliamentary estate is also in need of repair, and a multi billion-pound programme involving MPs temporarily relocating has been put forward. |