Britain’s iconic Houses of Parliament building is in need of urgent restoration work that could cost the British taxpayer nearly 5.7 billion pounds and may take more than 30 years if lawmakers do not move out of the historic building.
A new report by the Independent Options Appraisal, conducted by Deloitte Real Estates, released here today claims that essential repairs to the 150-year-old Palace of Westminster, which houses the famous Big Ben, could take nearly 32 years if MPs and peers continue to use the building. However, the bill could be considerably reduced to nearly 3.5 billion pounds if parliamentarians were moved out of the complex for six years.
The Grade I listed historic building, home to the Houses of Commons and Lords, is said to be partly sinking and could suffer major, irreversible damage” without significant restoration work. The report also has two halfway options, which would see a partial vacation of Parliament with the Commons going first, followed by the Lords. This option would cover a total time period of between nine and 14 years, but would most likely last 11 years.