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Big Ben Sounds Its Regular Midday Bongs For Last Time In Four Years

Published

7 years ago

August 21, 2017

Big Ben has sounded its regular midday bongs for the last time in four years.

The famous bongs have been silenced as part of a controversial renovation plan.

MPs and parliamentary workers gathered to listen as the Great Bell chimed noon before being halted to allow work to begin.

Theresa May said last week it “can’t be right” for Big Ben to be silent for four years.

But Downing Street indicated she would not be marking the last chimes at noon, saying only “she will be working in her constituency”.

Steve Jaggs, keeper of the Great Clock, said there was “nothing fundamentally wrong” with the tower but work needed to be carried out now to protect it for future generations.

He said: “We are talking about a structure which stands 96 feet about the streets of London.

“It is an international symbol of democracy and we have to ensure that this tower can move forward for future generations to enjoy.

“There’s nothing fundamentally wrong (compared to) same buildings of the same period of time but it is showing signs of disrepair now and unless we act soon it will take a lot longer to ensure it for future generations.”