Big Ben falls silent for repairs

London: Big Ben has fallen silent for major repair work expected to last until 2021, reports BBC.

The midday bongs 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. The House of Commons has said it will look again at the length of time Big Ben will be silenced after "concerns" were raised.

The 13.7-tonne Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years and last fell silent in 2007. The Great Clock it forms part of is to be dismantled and repaired.

Almost as one, the crowd that had gathered in Parliament Square and on the pavement outside the Palace of Westminster pointed their mobile phones up towards the famous clock.

The passing traffic paused, and as the last of Big Ben's bongs sounded - at least until November - cheers broke out.

Most of the people who had taken up Parliament's suggestion to witness the last bells spoke of their sadness at the switch-off, and plenty, like Brian Mignot from Tasmania, questioned the four-year timescale. Some, like engineer Neil Tomlinson from Derbyshire, took a pragmatic approach. "It's got to be repaired, so they're repairing it," he said, bemused at the fuss the plans have caused.

Others just said they wanted to be there. "It's a momentous occasion", said one of the onlookers, Annette Nicholson, from South East London.

"I thought the crowd would be even bigger." Mark Tan, who had just arrived in the UK on holiday from Singapore, said: "It's a historic moment but it's good so that it will continue for another 100 years". Inside the Parliamentary estate, there was more clapping and cheering as noon was struck.

 

Big Ben falls silent for repairs

London: Big Ben has fallen silent for major repair work expected to last until 2021, reports BBC. The midday bongs 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 Years 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 cant be right that the famous bongs will not be heard again until 2021 and has asked for the proposals to be reviewed. The House of Commons has said it will look again at the length of time Big Ben will be silenced after concerns were raised. The 13.7-tonne Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years and last fell silent in 2007. The Great Clock it forms part of is to be dismantled and repaired. Almost as one, the crowd that had gathered in Parliament Square and on the pavement outside the Palace of Westminster pointed their mobile phones up towards the famous clock. The passing traffic paused, and as the last of Big Bens bongs sounded - at least until November - cheers broke out. Most of the people who had taken up Parliaments suggestion to witness the last bells spoke of their sadness at the switch-off, and plenty, like Brian Mignot from Tasmania, questioned the four-year timescale. Some, like engineer Neil Tomlinson from Derbyshire, took a pragmatic approach. Its got to be repaired, so theyre repairing it, he said, bemused at the fuss the plans have caused. Others just said they wanted to be there. Its a momentous occasion, said one of the onlookers, Annette Nicholson, from South East London. I thought the crowd would be even bigger. Mark Tan, who had just arrived in the UK on holiday from Singapore, said: Its a historic moment but its good so that it will continue for another 100 years. Inside the Parliamentary estate, there was more clapping and cheering as noon was struck.