Iconic Big Ben to fall silent for four years for repairs

The UK's famous Big Ben bell will go silent for four years for repairs. The 161-year Big Ben will undergo £30 million worth of repairs to keep it continue chiming in the years ahead.

The regular chimes will 'pause' next Monday until 2021 - the longest silent spell since it became the time-keeper to the nation - although they will continue to be sounded to mark occasions such as New Year.

To keep the bell from striking, its hammers will be locked, while the bell will be disconnected from the clock mechanism.

The period of silence is much longer than what was envisaged at the time of the announcement of the project in April last year, when the House of Commons authorities suggested it would take months.

Fears had also been expressed that costs could increase as contracts had yet to be signed to carry out the work.

According to parliamentary officials, members of the public will be welcome to gather outside the building to hear the famous chimes for the last time at noon next Monday.

The 315ft (96 metre) Elizabeth Tower, was completed in 1856. It now needs work to repair and fill the cracks to in the masonry, and work to attend to corrosion to the cast-iron roof, belfry and the frame holding the bells including Big Ben.

But fears have been expressed that the cost of the revamp on the crumbling parliamentary estate has soared. According to earlier reports, cost to taxpayers had doubled to £60 million.

Officials of the House of Commons have now admitted they will make an "announcement" later this year revealing the final cost of the work - and are refusing to give a figure until then.

Only the contract for putting up the scaffolding has been signed so far, while bidding for the final contract to carry out the actual work is on.

The Mirror quoted a House of Commons spokesman, who said, "Due to strict confidentiality rules we are unable to comment on the process (including the project budget and timeline) further at this time."