― Reuters picLONDON, Aug 14 — Britain's much-loved Big Ben will fall silent for four years from next week as conservation work is carried out on the famous 19th century bell in a clock tower next to the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben has been stopped several times since it first sounded in 1859, but the current restoration project will mark the longest period of silence for the bell. The bongs of the iconic bell will be stopped on August 21 to protect workers during a 4 year $38 million conservation project that includes repair of the Queen Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben and its clock. The hammers which have struck the 13.7 tonne bell every hour for most of the last 157 years will be locked and disconnected from the clock, although the bongs will still sound for important events such as New Year's Eve celebrations. As this work takes place, the regular bongs of Big Ben will be paused at noon (GMT) Aug. 21 until 2021, according to a parliament statemen t.

"Big Ben falling silent is a significant milestone in this crucial conservation project," Steve Jaggs, whose official title is Keeper of the Great Clock, said in the statement. "This essential programme of works will safeguard the clock on a long term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home, the Elizabeth Tower," said Steve Jaggs, Keeper of the Great Clock. Big Ben basics

Image copyright PA

The Great Bell forms part of the Great Clock in the Elizabeth Tower - commonly known as Big Ben

It weighs 13.7 tonnes and the Elizabeth Tower stands 96m (315ft) tall

Every hour it strikes an E note, and every 15 minutes four "quarter bells" chime

To stop the chimes, the striking hammers will be locked until 2021

The landmark Elizabeth Tower is said to be the most photographed building in the UK. Steve Jaggs, keeper of the Great Clock, said Monday that the mechanism will be dismantled piece by piece and its four dials will be cleaned and repaired.
London's Big Ben, atop Elizabeth Tower, will fall silent for four years beginning 21 August while essential repair works are performed.