The Palace of Westminster’s Victoria Tower Fabric Safety Project will hit an early milestone this week with the publication of the market engagement documents, which will inform the project’s procurement process.
The exterior masonry of Victoria Tower, which is the tallest tower in the Grade 1 listed Palace of Westminster, is deteriorating and represents a health and safety risk. The root cause of this is exposure every year to the freeze-thaw cycle. Storm conditions, which are occurring more frequently, continue to weaken the structure further.
Mitigation measures are currently in place, including a protective safety deck at the base of the tower. The only way to eliminate the risk is to repair the tower’s stonework, which is what this project will do.
The next step for the project, which is very early in its timeline, is the procurement of works with a view to publishing an Invitation to Tender later this year. Work on site is expected to start in 2024.
Jake Vaughan, Executive Sponsor for the project and House of Lords Reading Clerk, said:
“Victoria Tower is a key part of one of the country’s most iconic and recognisable buildings. Extensive repairs to its stonework are needed to make sure that this 98-metre tall tower is safe for all.
“Interim safety measures have been put in place, but these works are vital to Victoria Tower’s long-term future. The benefits of the work are expected to last for more than 30 years.
“Also, as custodians of part of the UNESCO Westminster World Heritage Site, Parliament has a legal duty of care to prevent the tower from deteriorating further.”
This complex project on the 160-year-old tower will involve the full scaffolding of the tower. Subject to further detailed analysis, it is expected to be completed in 2029 and cost in the region of £170 million.
The project’s scaffolding will also be used to complete conservation works to the window glazing, cast iron roof, rainwater drainage system and flagpole. This will save money by eliminating the need for future scaffolds to carry out these works.
