Big Ben In London To Silent For Four Years Amid Renovation Project

The Big Ben in London will not chime for next four years after August 21 when its restoration project will begin. However, occasionally it will sound on some special events.

The restoration project will cover the Queen Elizabeth Tower, the Big Ben and the clock. It will cost $3.8 million.

The Big Ben was built in 1859 and has five bells. The largest bell chime every hour while the rest four bells bong the quarter hour.

Steve Jaggs, keeper of the Great Clock, said the tower is not unstable, but something need to be done to save it from getting worse.

He added the restoration project this time will be of longest period since it was constructed and it is important to work on keeping it working for future generation to enjoy. The cast-iron roof will be repaired and the renovation team would also stop seepage of the big ben.

The tower is named after Queen Elizabeth but is very commonly known as Big Ben. It is an important landmark of London. It is also the heartbeat of London, if believed to British newspaper columnist Quentin Letts. He said, “This is the marrow in our bones.”

Letts confirmed the sound will be heard at midnight on New Year’s Eve even while the renovation work will be in process.

During the World War II the Elizabeth Tower survived German bombing raids.