CORRECTION-BRITAIN TAX/BIG BEN London's Big Ben "bong" to cost British taxpayer millions

Record ID: 135436

  • Title: CORRECTION-BRITAIN TAX/BIG BEN London's Big Ben "bong" to cost British taxpayer millions
  • Date: 19th October 2015
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE) (REUTERS) WIDE OF BIG BEN
  • Embargoed: 3rd November 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA88HO5U1LI7UIYDJFGIYS0T7IQ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: London's iconic Big Ben could cost the British taxpayer over 29 million pounds in order to be properly refurbished and keep the famous "bong" sounding, British media reported on Sunday (October 18).
    The British parliament's clock is said to be so damaged that it could fall silent unless the repairs are not carried out.
    A report presented to the House of Commons Finance committee details a plan worth over 29 million pounds to fix the clock, which could leave it grinding to a halt for four months, the longest stoppage in its 156-year history, various media outlets reported.
    "Clearly in a climate of austerity when parliament is voting through cuts in other areas it's going to be controversial if they seem to authorising expenditure on that scale for a repair to what is essentially their own building. However, Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower, which it's on top of, is an iconic image of the UK. It's arguably the most famous iconic image of the UK, one of the most famous images anywhere in the world, it's part of the image of the country. I don't think I know many developing world countries that would allow an iconic status symbol on that scale to fall into disrepair, to stop working or, worse still, maybe bits start falling off it," said King's College lecturer, Andrew Blick.
    Officials said the cost could rise to a cumulative amount of 40 million pounds if the clock would not be fixed all in one go, The Guardian reported.
    "Speaking as someone who has actually worked on the parliamentary estate the 'bongs' may be wouldn't be greatly missed by those who have to hear them on a regular basis. But, again, they are not for us, they are everybody out there to remind us that this building exists," Blick said.
    The report said the work could take up to a year to carry out if the hands of the clock failed, due to scaffolding needed on the face of the iconic timepiece.
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