Big Ben roof scaffolding to start coming down this week

27 September 2020, 07:56

View of the Big Ben (under renovation) also known as Elizabeth Tower in Westminster, London
View of the Big Ben (under renovation) also known as Elizabeth Tower in Westminster, London. Picture: PA

Scaffolding hiding the roof of the tower housing Big Ben will begin to be removed this week after three years of extensive restoration work.

The top of the Elizabeth Tower - one of London's most notable historic landmarks - will once again be visible, but work will continue on the rest of the structure.

It will take six weeks for the scaffolding to be taken down, revealing 3,433 restored cast iron roof tiles which were removed and repaired in a specialist workshop.

The conservation work also addressed crumbling stone work and leaks.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: "Like everyone else, I have been looking forward to seeing the scaffolding come down on Elizabeth Tower - so the unveiling of the roof will be a memorable moment.

"We could all do with some good news in this Covid world, so it is very exciting to actually see some more of this great icon.

"I am hoping the conservation work that has taken place on the tower - an important symbol of our democracy - will assure its place in London's skyline for generations to come."

The four-year restoration scheme of the Elizabeth Tower began in 2017.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Fresh images of the remote Antarctica base at the centre of an assault allegation have emerged after the crew begged for rescue.

Inside the Antarctic base at centre of assault mystery as crew plead for rescue

Netflix's new show Adolescence explore themes such as misogyny, online radicalisation and the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate

‘There will be more’: Ex-social worker warns of rise of misogyny-fuelled violence following release of Netflix’s Adolescence

Breaking
"America", a fully-working solid gold toilet, created by artist Maurizio Cattelan at Blenheim Palace

The Great Drain Robbery: Gang guilty of stealing £4.8m gold toilet from Blenheim Palace

Trump and Putin have been locked in a call for over an hour

Trump-Putin talks ‘going well’ as world leaders locked in call on Ukraine war for over an hour

Exclusive
The scene on the Strand in the aftermath of the crash

Witness tells of horror after 'panicked and frozen' van driver ploughed into pedestrians, killing woman in her 20s

Ellis Matthews, 32, is currently being held at a centre for mothers with children with her four-year-old son.

British expat who ‘lied’ about claiming benefits ‘goes on hunger strike’ in Thai prison

Paul Butler admitted the murder of Claire Chick

Man admits murdering university lecturer in street in Plymouth

The Stena Immaculate crew have been praised for their 'exceptional bravery'

Tanker owners release first picture of crew and hail their 'exceptional bravery’

Nicholas Prosper killed his family

Teenager who murdered family planned to massacre 30 school children to become UK's most notorious mass killer

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall making a statement on welfare reform in the House of Commons, London. Picture date: Tuesday March 18, 2025.

Labour's battle on benefits begins as rebels say crackdown will cause 'immense suffering'

A woman in her 20s died at the scene, police said

LIVE: Woman in her 20s dies after ‘van hit three people’ near The Strand in central London

A woman in her 20s died in the crash

Woman killed after van hits three pedestrians in Strand in central London, as man arrested for drug driving

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have reportedly shared their first phone call since the election.

US ‘could recognise Crimea as Russian in peace deal’ as Trump to hold ceasefire talks with Putin

Paul Young and his wife Lorna had been on holiday in Santorini when the fall happened

Paul Young rushed into intensive care after horror fall on luxury Greek holiday

Owen Cooper

Adolescence star Owen Cooper, 15, reveals iconic role he wants to play and how his friends reacted Netflix drama

Israel launched a wave of strikes on Gaza last night - the largest attack since the January ceasefire

'Greatest fear realised': Families of Israeli hostages slam Netanyahu as Gaza strikes put captives 'at grave risk'