Elizabeth Tower Restoration (Big Ben)

Client: Strategic Estates
Contract: NEC3 Option A
Completion: 2021

Project Overview

Universal Coatings was appointed to undertake a comprehensive condition survey, lead paint removal, cast iron restoration, and the application of a specialist protective coating system as part of the nationally significant restoration of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben).

Working within one of the UK's most iconic heritage landmarks, the project demanded exceptional technical expertise, meticulous planning, and strict adherence to security, conservation, and health and safety requirements.

Scope of Works

Our specialist restoration team successfully delivered the following works:

• Established the site within a highly secure and restricted environment.

• Carried out detailed condition surveys to the roofs, clock dials, and surrounding structures to determine temporary works requirements.

• Worked collaboratively with scaffold contractors to develop safe access solutions while protecting the historic fabric of the building.

• Designed and installed fully sealed decontamination facilities integrated into the scaffold encapsulation, providing an airtight environment for the safe removal of lead-based coatings.

• Removed existing paint systems from steel and cast iron components using specialist sponge blasting techniques, minimising damage to the historic substrate.

• Applied surface-tolerant corrosion protection primers to preserve exposed metalwork during the repair programme.

• Worked closely with structural and conservation engineers to inspect, assess, and identify defective components requiring repair or replacement.

• Carefully removed, tagged, catalogued, and transported heritage cast iron components to our specialist restoration workshop for repair or replication in accordance with conservation requirements.

• Reinstated all restored components using conservation-approved fixing methods and installation techniques.

• Undertook complex on-site cast iron repairs, including drilling, grinding, brazing, and specialist cold metal repair systems to restore structural integrity while preserving historic material wherever possible.

• Applied a high-performance industrial multi-coat protective paint system, accurately colour matched to the original historic finish.

Project Highlights

• Restoration of one of the world's most recognisable heritage structures.

• Specialist conservation of historic cast iron and structural steel.

• Safe removal and management of hazardous lead-based coatings.

• Close collaboration with Parliamentary Estates, conservation architects, structural engineers, and specialist contractors.

• Delivery within a highly secure operational environment while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and heritage conservation.