Rise on Sir Robert McAlpine scheme down to increase in complexity of work on tower and hike in price of groundworks
Costs on Sir Robert McAlpine鈥檚 conservation of the 96-metre Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster have doubled to 拢61m.
The hike has been put down to an increase and complexity in the work needed on the iconic tower and clock, as well as further ground works to support the weight of the scaffolding being erected by the contractor, the House of Commons said.
Parliament has also increased the amount of money set aside from 拢5.8m to 拢17.2m to pay for any unexpected events or challenges that may arise as the scheme to proceeds.
In addition, funding for fire safety work, which was budgeted in a different scheme has been transferred to the conservation of the Elizabeth Tower, adding 拢4.5m to the cost of the project.
The cost increase has seen the authorities of both Houses of Parliament agree to the internal audit review of progress on the project, including analysis of the reasons for the increase in estimated costs.
The House of Commons and House of Lords Commissions have expressed their disappointment in the cost increases, and the unreliability of the original estimate.
In a statement, the Clerk of the House of Commons, the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Director General said: 鈥淲e acknowledge that t