News
For all the latest images and progress on the restoration of the Monument, please visit our Diary section.
12th December 2007
Pauline Halliday Chief Commoner and some Members of the City Lands and Bridge House Estates Committee visit the site. Local school children see their artwork unveiled. Read more...
25th October 2007
The City of London Festival is working with Year 6 students from Sir John Cass Foundation Primary towards a new visual art project at the Monument. Read more...
15th October 2007
Sample cleaning gets underway, using the Doff system (steam clean) and the slow process of carefully removing the ashphalt from the top of the viewing platform begins. The stone under the asphalt is an extremely rare black limestone.
5th October 2007
Scaffolding is completed and officially handed over to the main contractors - Cathedral Works Organisation. The scaffolding company, Allen and Foxworthy have erected 73,500ft of scaffolding tube, 24,500 scaffold fittings, 47,600 bolts tightened and 19,500 ft of scaffolding boards. Excavations and defrassing is carried out in the basement.
19th September 2007
Scaffolding reaches level 23 (see scaffolding progress chart) and specialist contractors remove the top section of the
viewing gallery.
13th September 2007
Scaffolding reaches level 21 (see scaffolding progress chart) and stonemasons start cleaning the underside of the steps using a stiff brissle brush and clean water. Down in the basement, dust is being removed from the floor and a small section of clay substrate has been removed.
6th September 2007
Scaffolding reaches level 17 (see scaffolding progress chart) and stonemasons carry out mortar samples and spinning/polishing of pooilvaaish stone, which is used for the steps in the spiral staircase
23rd August 2007
Scaffolding reaches level 10 (see scaffolding progress chart) and work on removing paint from the iron cradle inside the stone drum below the orb has begun. Watch video
16th August 2007
The scaffolding is now well underway with level 6 being boarded and level 7 being erected. You can learn more about the complex scaffolding in our learning section. Stonemasons have started cleaning the wall line where it joins the steps and we recorded our first images going up to the orb.
5th August 2007
The hoarding for the site perimeter nears completion. A protective cover has been laid within the site and the works cabins have been hoisted into position.
30th July 2007
The Monument has closed, marking the start of the 18-month programme of improvements and repairs. Hoarding will be erected around the Monument to establish the site perimeter. The metal railings on the east side of the Monument will be removed for restoration and repair. Two timber bollards will be carefully removed to make way for scaffolding access. Works cabins will be put in place in readiness for the the scaffolding, which will begin early next week.
- The restoration project is featured on the BBC website
- Watch the BBC news report from BBC London (requires Real Media Player)
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Last updated:
24 April, 2008