Parliament at risk of catastrophic fire without urgent renovation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 02:57 · Archive

A parliamentary committee warns the Palace of Westminster risks a catastrophic fire unless renovation delays are resolved.

A parliamentary committee has warned that the Palace of Westminster faces serious risks if MPs do not urgently address renovation and funding issues. The Commons public accounts committee said that decisions about restoring the Grade I-listed and Unesco world heritage site have been repeatedly delayed amid disagreement over how it should be done and spiralling costs.

The cost of maintaining the estate will soon reach £2m a week, with estimates suggesting the full restoration could cost as much as £40bn and potentially last for six decades. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative MP chairing the committee, said that every year of inaction adds an estimated £420m to the restoration programme. He warned of the need to avoid 'a major fire or similar disaster' and cited the potential impact on the UK's morale and reputation.

The Victorian building has longstanding problems barely kept in check by ongoing maintenance, including regular plumbing failures, leaking roofs, crumbling masonry and persistent fire risks mainly from outdated electrics. These risks currently require 24-hour fire patrols. Clifton-Brown said there has been a 'political allergy' to making decisions about the necessary work.

How it is being reported

• Parliament risks 'catastrophic event' without urgent renovationThe Palace of Westminster is at risk of a "catastrophic event" if delays to a renovation initiative are not resolved, a group of MPs have warned.Sky News · 4 Nov, 02:45
• Houses of Parliament at risk of ‘Notre Dame-style fire’ as renovation costs riseReport says cost of maintenance could soon reach £2m a week, including 24-hour patrols to avert fire risk The Palace of Westminster will be at risk of a Notre Dame-style fire or a similar catastrophic event if MPs do not tackle the issue of funding refurbishments, a parliamentary committee has said. Decisions about how and when to begin a full restoration of the building, which is Grade I-listed and a Unesco world heritage site, have been repeatedly delayed amid disagreement over how it should be done and spiralling costs. Continue reading...The Guardian · 4 Nov, 00:01

In this story: Palace of Westminster · Commons public accounts committee · Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown · Notre Dame · UK

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