Despite essential conservation works, Elizabeth Tower shines on
7 February 2018
At the top of the Elizabeth Tower is the Ayrton light, a lantern-like structure installed in 1885 which shines whenever either House of Parliament sits after dark. The Ayrton Light sits at a height of 76m, whilst the Elizabeth Tower itself is 95.7m tall.
The electricity supply to the Ayrton light has now been switched off and connected to four temporary, substitute lights which are mounted on the scaffolding on each side of the Tower. These substitute lights will shine white when Parliament is sitting until the original Ayrton light is repaired to its former glory. The Ayrton light was last recorded as being switched off during both World Wars.
The repair works to the Ayrton light will involve removing it from the top of the tower, fully dismantling it and restoring each piece. If this vital work is not carried out, there is a danger that the light could fail and its historic integrity compromised. The Ayrton Light will be visible and functioning again once the essential conservation works are complete and will be revealed once the scaffolding is dismantled.
The light is said to have been installed at the request of Queen Victoria, so that she could see from Buckingham Palace when members of either the Commons or the Lords were sitting after dark. It is named after Acton Smee Ayrton, a Liberal politician who was First Commissioner of Works between 1869 and 1873.