Big Ben bongs to be silenced as engineering works reach critical stage

As part of the complex series of works, the tower’s Great Clock will be dismantled piece by piece with each cog examined and restored. The four dials will be carefully cleaned, the glass repaired, the cast iron framework renewed, and the hands will be removed and refurbished. A modern electric motor will drive the clock hands until the Great Clock is reinstated.

The Great Clock, considered by many to be one of the finest and most innovative mechanical clocks ever to be built, is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity to trigger the renowned bongs.

To stop the bells the striking hammers will be locked and the bell disconnected from the clock mechanism, allowing the Great Clock to continue telling the time silently. Parliament’s specialist clock makers will ensure that Big Ben can still bong for important national events such as New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday. The bells will resume their regular time keeping duties in the course of 2021.