A Major Infrastructure Project

The restoration of the Palace is a huge challenge. It has a floorplate the size of 16 football pitches with 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases, three miles of passageways, four floors and 65 different levels.

After the scope has been determined, and all the investigations are complete and designs agreed, the proposed approach to the works and costs will be put before both Houses for a decision.

The project will secure the future of the Palace as the home of the UK Parliament and preserve its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The benefits include:

• Providing all the services needed by a modern, accessible and accountable Parliament
• Improved disabled access for visitors and people working there
• Improved fire safety and removal of risks caused by asbestos
• Restoration of extensively decayed stonework
• Repair or replacement of the 4,000 bronze windows
• Increased energy efficiency with lower running costs and a significantly reduced carbon footprint
• Reduced demand for costly emergency repairs
• Reduced risk of major disruption to the work of Parliament caused by sudden service failure
• Safeguarding heritage

Planning and preparation must also be carried out to ensure Parliament’s vast heritage collections, such as the thousands of works of art and pieces of historic furniture, are kept safe. Architectural features that cannot be removed during the works must also be safeguarded. In addition, in a separate parliamentary project, the Parliamentary archives, including 4m records dating back to the 15th century, must be removed from the Victoria Tower. Find out more about the archives at the UK Parliament website. 

Quotes about the programme: