Big Ben clock tower repair costs set to double

Repair costs for the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster have now doubled to an estimated £61 million, parliamentary authorities have said.

The conservation project for the clock tower, which houses Big Ben, was originally priced at £29m in the spring of 2016.

The repair effort caused controversy when it was announced that Big Ben would only chime on special occasions over the next four years. The House of Commons and House of Lords Commissions have been told that the increase in costs is due to a better understanding of the complexity of the work needed. A spokeswoman for the House of Commons said: “The commissions expressed their disappointment in the cost increases, and the unreliability of the original estimate.

“They instructed officials to provide regular updates on progress and costs to the relevant domestic committees so they can keep the commissions fully informed of the project.”