Big Ben has fallen silent for major repair work expected to last until 2021. The midday bongs (yesterday) were the last regular chimes from the famous bell until the repairs to its tower are complete. It will still be used for special occasions, including New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday. There were cheers and applause from a crowd of tourists and onlookers on the green opposite as the final chime rang out. The decision to switch it off to protect workers' hearing has sparked a debate about the length of time it will be silent, with MPs not being told it would be four years, the longest period in its history. Prime Minister Theresa May has said "it can't be right" that the famous bongs will not be heard again until 2021 and has asked for the proposals to be reviewed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40995854

Big Ben has fallen silent for major repair work expected to last until 2021. The midday bongs (yesterday) were the last regular chimes from the famous bell until the repairs to its tower are complete. It will still be used for special occasions, including New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday. There were cheers and applause from a crowd of tourists and onlookers on the green opposite as the final chime rang out. The decision to switch it off to protect workers' hearing has sparked a debate about the length of time it will be silent, with MPs not being told it would be four years, the longest period in its history. Prime Minister Theresa May has said "it can't be right" that the famous bongs will not be heard again until 2021 and has asked for the proposals to be reviewed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40995854
That`s like 6 years from now. Wooow. :o

That`s like 6 years from now. Wooow. :o
I make it 4 years, but it will be awfully quiet in Westminster...

I make it 4 years, but it will be awfully quiet in Westminster...
I was on the Southbank the other week and it was very quiet, and I had to strain my eyes to check for the time, for hearing the chimes, you can tell which quarter of the hour it is.

Repair costs for the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster have now doubled to an estimated £61m, parliamentary authorities have said. The project is more complex and extensive than originally thought, when the estimate of £29m to £45m was made. While there were "unique challenges" in working on a historic site, Parliament said it was disappointed at the rising bill and would launch a review.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41444415

Big Ben's 'bongs' to be restored in time for Christmas despite controversial restoration works.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/big-bens-bongs-restored-time-13763586

Big Ben's "bongs" will ring out again over the Christmas period despite a major four-year repair programme. The famous chimes of the Elizabeth Tower were controversially silenced for the next four years back in August 21. Renovation works demand the bell be silenced as a health and safety measure while contractors carry out the repairs. It was initially announced only events such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday would be exempted.

Renovation works demand the bell be silenced as a health and safety measure while contractors carry out the repairs.


Why don't they just hand out ear muffs for the workers, to be donned at the top of each hour? ???

Why don't they just hand out ear muffs for the workers, to be donned at the top of each hour? ???
The workers need more than just ear muffs, when Big Ben chimes, along with the bells, the 'bell room' vibrates from the reverberation.

The workers need more than just ear muffs, when Big Ben chimes, along with the bells, the 'bell room' vibrates from the reverberation.


I work in a building that shakes every time a freight train goes past. No biggie.

In the mean time we can just sit and stare at the Al Yaqoub Tower in Dubai.

Looks familiar?

https://d1k5w7mbrh6vq5.cloudfront.net/images/cache/d6/20/29/d6202993014d12d772241bb927a0db13.jpg

In the mean time we can just sit and stare at the Al Yaqoub Tower in Dubai.

Looks familiar?

https://d1k5w7mbrh6vq5.cloudfront.net/images/cache/d6/20/29/d6202993014d12d772241bb927a0db13.jpg


Al must have been pretty well off to build that tower.

In the mean time we can just sit and stare at the Al Yaqoub Tower in Dubai.

Looks familiar?

https://d1k5w7mbrh6vq5.cloudfront.net/images/cache/d6/20/29/d6202993014d12d772241bb927a0db13.jpg

Al must have been pretty well off to build that tower.
I hope bells do not chimed out of that tower, it would keep the neighbours awake?

Why don't they just hand out ear muffs for the workers, to be donned at the top of each hour? ???


I imagine it's rather vital to be able to hear while doing that kind of work, for safety purposes.

In the mean time we can just sit and stare at the Al Yaqoub Tower in Dubai.

Looks familiar?

https://d1k5w7mbrh6vq5.cloudfront.net/images/cache/d6/20/29/d6202993014d12d772241bb927a0db13.jpg


That and the clock tower in Mecca look too gaudy.

That and the clock tower in Mecca look too gaudy.
this one?


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Abraj-al-Bait-Towers.JPG

My goodness. 4 years!!!??? Big Ben and its chimes are utterly iconic. How can they silence it for 4 years? Madness. At least it will ring out on Christmas and New Year's day. I always watch the London fireworks on TV on New Years day with my family and Big Ben's chimes are a great part of that.

My goodness. 4 years!!!??? Big Ben and its chimes are utterly iconic. How can they silence it for 4 years? Madness. At least it will ring out on Christmas and New Year's day. I always watch the London fireworks on TV on New Years day with my family and Big Ben's chimes are a great part of that.
I saw the Elizabeth Tower yesterday, and the face of the clock is now covered by scaffolding, now at the wrong angle you cannot tell what the time is.

Big Ben will chime again on Thursday after months of silence

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/big-ben-will-chime-again-on-thursday-a3684531.html

Big Ben will chime for the first time in almost three months on Thursday as the bell is reconnected ahead of Armistice Day. The bell’s rings will be once again heard in Westminster at approximately 9am following an 11 week break. The test run is to ensure it chimes at exactly the right time for Armistice Day commemorations at the 11th hour on Saturday, followed by Remembrance Sunday events the next day.
The bells will then be disconnected again after ringing the hour at 1pm on Sunday 12 November.

this one?


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Abraj-al-Bait-Towers.JPG


Yeah, it looks uglier when contrasted with the rest of the city.

https://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20170304_MAP002_0.jpg

Yeah, it looks uglier when contrasted with the rest of the city.

https://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20170304_MAP002_0.jpg
Which ever angle you view it, it is still hideous.