advertisement

Big Ben bell falls silent in London for repairs until 2021

LONDON (AP) - With a dozen deep bongs, Britain's Big Ben sounded the hour for the last time Monday before falling silent for repair work due to last almost four years.

The giant bell atop Parliament's clock tower rang out at noon, as it has almost every hour since 1859, becoming an iconic sound of London. Hundreds of parliamentary staff, journalists and lawmakers gathered in a courtyard under the Victorian clock tower, while hundreds more tourists and passersby lined sidewalks and filled nearby Parliament Square.

The mood was light-hearted - it is, after all, just a bell - but total silence fell as the first bong sounded. The crowd burst into cheers and applause as the last faded away.

The break will allow workers to carry out much-needed maintenance to the clock and clock tower. But a handful of lawmakers have criticized the lengthy silence, calling Big Ben an important symbol of British democracy.

They want the time scale for repairs tightened, and House of Commons officials say they will take another look at the schedule once Parliament returns next month from its summer break.

Labour Party lawmaker Stephen Pound said the silencing of Big Ben was "a dispiriting moment."

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone," he said.

And Pound expressed skepticism that the repair work would be finished on schedule in 2021.

"Have you known any government project ever come in on time and on budget?" he said.

Big Ben has been silenced for repairs before, most recently in 2007, but this stretch is by far the longest. The bell is not due to resume regular timekeeping until sometime in 2021, though it will be heard on special occasions such as New Year's Eve.

The sound of the 13.5 U.K. ton (15.1 U.S. ton, 13.7 metric ton) bell became associated with Britain around the globe through World War II radio news broadcasts. The clock tower - also commonly called Big Ben, but formally named the Elizabeth Tower - is one of London's most-photographed buildings.

During the repair work, scaffolding will obscure parts of the tower, and the clock faces will be covered at times.

Adam Watrobski, principal architect at the Houses of Parliament, said authorities are well aware of how much interest the bell and the tower generate.

"But you know at the end of the day all buildings have to be serviced," he said.

Watrobski added that once this round of work is finished, "the building will be sound and secure for the next 60 years or so."

___

Kevin Scott contributed to this story.

The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and housing the bells Big Ben, is seen in London, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. On Monday 21 August at noon, Big Ben's famous bongs will sound for the last time before major conservation works are carried out. The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and Big Ben, is currently undergoing a complex programme of renovation work that will safeguard it for future generations. While this vital work takes place, the Great Bell's world famous striking will be paused until 2021 to ensure the safety of those working in the Tower.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The Associated Press
Tourists take a selfie in front of the Elizabeth Tower in London, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. On Monday at noon, Big Ben's famous bongs will sound for the last time before major conservation works are carried out. The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and Big Ben, is currently undergoing a complex programme of renovation work that will safeguard it for future generations. While this vital work takes place, the Great Bell's world famous striking will be paused until 2021 to ensure the safety of those working in the Tower.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2017 file photo, scaffolding is erected around the Elizabeth Tower, which includes the landmark 'Big Ben' clock, as part of ongoing conservation efforts at the Palace of Westminster in London. The Big Ben bell is due to sound the hour for the last time at noon on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, before it's silenced for repair work scheduled to last until 2021. (AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio, File) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.