Renovations to London's Palace of Westminster will not start for at least eight years, officials said tonight, as they scotched fears the parliamentary estate could sink into the Thames.
MPs agreed to a year-long study on how to deal with subsidence of the mock-Gothic building and the tilt of Big Ben's clock tower, which leans 18in at its peak.
A meeting of the House of Commons Commission, which is responsible for the estate's upkeep, delayed decisions on repairs until after the next general election, due in three years.
It released a statement tonight saying: "The commission agreed officials from both Houses should conduct an initial study that will allow them, in due course, to present options for the long-term upkeep of the Palace of Westminster.
"While noting there is no immediate risk to the structure of the palace, the commission is pleased such long-term planning is being undertaken in a thorough and strategic manner.
"It is envisaged this early work will take approximately a year, with any decisions on renovation not being made until the next parliament, with any work not commencing before 2020."
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