Mcalpine to get more bong for their buck
The government is understood to be poised to announce that Sir Robert Mcalpine, one of Britain’s biggest private construction businesses, has won the contract to repair and restore Westminster’s Elizabeth Tower.
Sir Robert Mcalpine had already been awarded scaffolding and pre-construction contracts worth £3.5 million last year, but sources now say it has been awarded the entire £29m job.
The Whitehall decision comes amid the continuing controversy over the move to silence Big Ben, the great bell within the tower at the corner of the House of Commons, for four years to protect workers’ hearing during the job.
Ministers are expected to announce the decision when they return from recess.
It is expected that Sir Robert Mcalpine will preserve significant elements of the Elizabeth Tower, repair and redecorate the interior, renew building services and improve health and safety.