Part of Thames may be closed for UK Parliament repairs

LONDON: Part of the River Thames could be closed off when the multi-billion pound renovation of Britain's Parliament gets underway with engineers and architects looking to use the iconic river to get materials in and out of the Palace of Westminster.

Engineers and architects who are considering bidding for the job of saving Parliament have told The Independent that they will probably need to build dry docks by the terrace where, at this time of year, MPs and peers enjoy glasses of wine and pints of beer in the sun.

These docks would accommodate two boats -- one taking decades' old equipment and rubble out of Parliament, the other bringing in replacement stonework, air conditioning units, bronze window frames, and generators.

One engineering executive warned that the dry docks would block "one-third, possibly even half" the width of the Westminster section of the Thames, potentially disturbing boat commuter services and river tours.

Using the river, though, would make sure that Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square do not suffer years of gridlock with huge lorries going to and from the Parliament during the repairs which are set to begin around 2020.

"We would be looking to use the Thames as the main artery to get materials in and out of the palace," the source was quoted as saying.

The source conceded that security would have to be significantly tightened on the palace's river side.

London 2012 organisers used barges on the River Lea to transport the sand, stone, concrete and gravel needed to build the Olympic Park in Stratford. This was considered more efficient than trying to negotiate London's notoriously jammed roads.

Last month, a team produced a report detailing the repairs the palace needs if it is to continue functioning as the nation's parliament. The building is riddled with asbestos, rodents, and moths.

The report's most well-publicised findings were that it would cost more than 7 billion pounds and take 32 years to complete if politicians did not temporarily move out, against 3.5 billion pounds and six years if they did.

A joint committee of MPs and peers will decide which is the best option to take next year, but engineers, architects and construction companies that are planning to bid for the contract are worried the report might not have identified all of the palace's flaws.