Starting in previous August , one of London ’s large — and noisiest — internal symbols will go silent : As BBC News report , Big Ben ( which has ring on the hr for 157 years ) will stop chiming until 2021 . The measure is intended to protect prole completing return employment on both the clock and its hem in anatomical structure .
Big Ben will still chime on New Year ’s Eve , Remembrance Sunday ( a UK holiday that honour stager ) , and other special occasions , but its last hourly bong will voice on Monday , August 21 . Meanwhile , scaffolding has already been erected around the clock tower , and repairs have begun .
The clock pillar last receive extensive preservation work in the early 1980s . official say that the clock ’s hands , pendulum , and internal workings all have problems “ which need to be dealt with immediately to see to it that the clock can continue to cultivate properly,”according to Parliament ’s official website .
“ Surveys are still being carried out to identify the extent of the works involve to the tower itself , but we have already identified areas of concern , let in crack in Freemasonry , leak , erosion , and terrible rust of metalwork , ” officials append . “ There is a endangerment that if not turn to as a matter of urgency , the clock may fail or [ structural ] trouble may become needlelike . ”
Big Ben ’s clock will be disassemble piece by bit , so its four dial can be cleaned and fixed . Its faces will be temporarily covered , but an galvanizing motor will remain to drive the clock hand so it can keep differentiate time . Architects also plan to modernise the clock tower by making it more energy - effective , and adding an elevator , toilet , and kitchen .
" This essential syllabus of works will safeguard the clock on a longsighted - term basis , as well as protecting and conserve its menage — the Elizabeth Tower , " the clock ’s keeper Steve Jaggs told the BBC .
For the uninitiated , the name “ Big Ben ” is often used to describe the tower , the clock , and the bell , but it originally identify the largest of the clock ’s five Alexander Melville Bell , which stands more than 7 groundwork tall and weighs more than 14 dozens . As for the clock ’s surrounding tower , it was dub Elizabeth Tower in 2012 , to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II ’s 60 - year reign .
