The reopening of the iconic Clock Tower in St Albans has been postponed allowing for emergency repairs.
This year, on April 15, the building in the heart of the City Centre was supposed to open its doors to visitors.
During an inspection, however, the wooden flooring of the observation platform at the top of the tower was discovered to need repair.
The repair work has been commissioned and a construction contractor is on standby to do it.
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport must approve the tower since it is a scheduled monument. Historic England has received an application for this.
Work will begin as soon as that is received, and the tower is expected to reopen in May or June.
Farhana Begum, Museums Business Manager for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The Clock Tower is a wonderful attraction, one of our city’s most famous landmarks, and is open for around six months every year.
“It is unfortunate that there will be a delay in its 2022 opening while essential repair work is carried out.
“I’m sure people will understand that we had no option but to postpone the reopening as health and safety is our paramount concern.
“There are statutory procedures that we have to undertake before our contractor can start and we are endeavouring to overcome those as quickly as possible.”
The Clock Tower, which stands 64 feet tall and has five stories, is England’s sole remaining mediaeval town belfry. It was completed around the year 1405.
More information is available here
Picture credit St Albans City & District Council
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