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New Year's Eve and the Elizabeth Tower restoration works

21 December 2016

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The Great Clock in the Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, will be fully operational on New Year's Eve. The chimes will ring as is traditional and the dials of the clock will be fully lit.

Conservation works on the Elizabeth Tower will begin early in 2017. While the clock mechanism will be stopped at times during the works, the intent is to maintain striking and tolling for important events.  We do not expect any cessation of the clock mechanism during the first quarter of 2017.

There will be no access to the Elizabeth Tower for any media during the Christmas period. It will however still be possible to film an unobstructed shot of the Elizabeth Tower from Westminster Bridge or the Albert Embankment.

For any other media requests, please contact hocmediacorporate@parliament.uk / 0207 219 0969.

For any public enquiries, please contact hcenquiries@parliament.uk

Further Information

More information on the restoration works to the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben is available in the following Q&A

Photo: PC