13 October 2008
New view from the Monument
On Saturday 11 October the streets around the Monument were
closed for an exciting landmark event in the Monument restoration
project.
A massive 100 tonne crane winched a new balustrade and platform
cage on to the viewing platform. The balustrade was lifted in
two sections before workmen welded it together. The operation
took five hours to complete.
The platform cage has been constructed of lightweight cable
mesh, stretched over stainless steel tubes. It replaces the
former iron bars which were installed in the 1950s. This
installation is part of the £4.5 million project which also
involves the cleaning and repair of the Monument’s stonework and
the regilding of its famous golden orb.
Repairs to the Monument are carried out every hundred years, the
last major work was undertaken in the 1880s. The current
project has cost the City of London Corporation £4.5million.
Visitors who climb the 311 spiral steps to admire the view at
the top will also be able to use state of the art telescopes which
have been designed as part of the new balustrade. The curved
stainless tubes of the structure contain the electrical cabling for
the services on the viewing platform including CCTV cameras and
lighting.
Built in 1671 to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666,
the Monument is one of the City’s most outstanding landmarks.
The Grade 1 listed building has been closed since July 2007 and is
due to open in February 2009.
Ends
For further information please call: Fiona Milligan DL 0207 332
3451 or M 07900 244 200 or email
Fiona.milligan@cityoflondon.gov.uk