Just down the road from the Houses of Parliament is the 1960s tower block, the Millbank Tower. Famous for its uncompromising brutal aesthetic in an area dominated by classical stone buildings and for hosting the Labour Party for a few years, the top floors are now a bar and events venue.

Thanks to a tip off from The Londonist, I became aware that the top floor venue is allowing the general public up for tours and to admire the skyline over the next few weeks.

Although not quite as high up as the London Eye, it has the advantage of being stationary, so rather than a fleeting glimpse of the view from the top of the London Eye, you can get an hour at the top of a tower block – and hence a more relaxed appreciation of the view.

There are two main ticket types – the “lite” model which costs £11.50 and a deluxe for £18.50 which includes souvenir book and guide, which was tempting, but also a “guided tour by one of our award winning comedians“, which to be honest, sounds like my idea of hell.

I took the lite option. As it happens, overhearing one of the “comedians” as I wandered round suggested that they are quite serious and not at all comic, so maybe not as bad as the idea sounded.

The venue itself is quite spartan, almost municipal in design, but then again if you fill it up with champagne quaffing media luvvies the decor is hardly an issue and the view is what appeals to most people.

The tower also has the advantage of being a solitary building with little high rise around it, so the depth of the vista is more impressive than some of the City towers which are clustered together.

Irritatingly, my camera is in dire need of cleaning, so along with slightly dirty windows, the photos I took today are not at their best.

Having said all that – this is very much a visual experience, so here are a few of my favourite photos – and the whole lot are over at my usual Flickr account.

I might go back as it happens – after I get the camera guts cleaned – to catch the view just as the sun sets, as from my experience in other tall buildings, the twilight hour is when London looks its best when seen from above – as you get all the lights coming on while there is enough daylight left to see the structure of the buildings. The best of both worlds.

You can book tickets to visit the top via the Altitude 360 website

As part of a UK-wide Discovering Places event, Parliament is leading short tours, showing familiar yet unexpected aspects of its buildings and works of art.

Although most of the tour options are ones that anyone who goes in to the building for the tours (or work) will be familiar with, there is a behind the scenes tour of Victoria Tower on offer which is a rather interesting.

If you are not aware of it – Victoria Tower is the large tower block at the other end of Parliament from Big Ben, and houses the Parliamentary Archives and copies of all the bills passed by Parliament.

I was also tempted by the tour of the Crypt Chapel, as that is quite rare for us members of the public to get into.

Tours are only available on Friday 23 July.

Other tour options include

Westminster Hall; Crypt Chapel of St Mary Undercroft and The Contemporary Portrait Collection tour.

More details here

There have been tours of the Houses of Parliament during the Summer Recess for some years – but did you know they are now available all year round?

Trawling through the House of Commons Early Day Motions (as you do), I noticed this one commending the House authorities for opening the public tours throughout the year, on Saturdays.

You what?!?

Although the Parliament website doesn’t really make this option clear, it is certainly available on the bookings website.

So, if you fancy a tour of the building – booking a Saturday tour now might be a good way of getting in a smaller than average group before some idiot writes about the all-year tours on a blog somewhere. Oh!

The public tours don’t include the Clock Tower where Big Ben resides, but you can arrange a special visit if you want – details here.

On this day, marking the first Queen’s Speech delivered by a coalition government to Queen Elizabeth II, I take time to reflect on an earlier Queen’s Speech, when there was not so much a Coalition Government as a single-party state.

In the run up to the Crimean War, such was the popular demand for war, that all political parties effectively became one grand coalition, to which there was no official opposition of any significant sort. Although the official government was a Peelite-Whig coalition under Lord Aberdeen, one of the leading Peelites, it had such strong support from the Conservatives that many people asked if party politics was about to die.

Rather than dying, the government would collapse in 1855 following the disastrous War that was about to unfold and the return of two-party politics would return in force a decade later as the famous battles between Gladstone and Disraeli came to dominate the period.

When the coalition government of 1854 collapsed the following year, after much debate, Lord Palmerston formed his first government. Thanks to subsequent elections delivering ever larger majorities, the subsequent decade has been referred to by some as the Dictatorship of Lord Palmerston.

In an echo of today’s coalition government, Lord Palmerston began his parliamentary career as a Tory and ended it as a Liberal (an alliance of Whigs, Peelites, Radicals). He was also the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to die in office, which considering their respective ages, is probably an honour that Nick Clegg and David Cameron are happy to leave with him.

As a further echo of today’s Queen’s Speech which remarked on constitutional reform, the speech give by Queen Victoria in 1854 also talked of reforms, although nothing would happen until 1867 when the Second Reform Bill was passed. Doubtless modern politicians will be aiming for a slightly swifter timescale than their predecessors!

The below is taken from the Illustrated London News of February 1854.

OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSION BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

The second Session of Queen Victoria’s fourth Parliament was opened, and by her Majesty in person, on Tuesday the 31st ult. The real importance of that brilliant though sedate spectacle is to be found in the fact that the head of the State was proceeding , through the streets of the capital — those streets being crowded by an excited populace — to summon the State to sanction and to strengthen those measures which she had taken, upon the advice of her Ministers, but in the absence of Parliament to resist the aggression of one of her allies upon another of her allies — those measures leading, in all probability, to a European war, of which, once begun, no man could foresee the result this great fact is, in our time, a new fact; and in the face of such probabilities, the Session then opened must be pronounced as transcending in importance every other session of the Parliaments called in the present reign.

Even were the Russian, question not in presence, there are other circumstances which would render the opening of the session of 1854 an epoch.

The Royal Procession Passing Whitehall

The speech from the Throne which declared conditional war against the Czar, announced, also a Reform Bill — a measure which may produce as great gradual changes as were produced by the Bill (of which this is a complement and a continuation) of 1832 — a measure from which undoubtedly we shall date in our constitutional history. We remember the reign of William IV. solely for the Reform-bill, in the passing of which he was the reluctant agent; and, whatever may be the other memorable episodes reserved by fate, it would so far appear to be certain that posterity will principally commemorate Victoria for the measures which made trade free, and the measure which struck a death-blow at the system, peculiar to our Constitution, of electoral corruption and simulacrous party representation.

For still other reasons must we regard and record the initiation of the new Session with no ordinary interest.

Fortunately for a people threatened with a great war, and to whom the Sovereign appeals to undertake a great struggle, the Parliament assembled on Tuesday is, in the loftiest sense, a “National Council,” since it meets at a moment when “party” has for the present disappeared, if it has not been permanently destroyed; and the curious yet gratifying circumstance is noticeable that this Parliament, whom the Queen, with the national approval, has invited to “Reform” itself, is a Parliament in the first place in unusual accord with the Government, and in the next place is a Parliament in which, so far as the conduct of a war would be concerned, the people would appear to place the most unbounded — it may be said — unparalleled confidence.

The Norman Porch - Her Majesty Proceeding to the Robing-Room

That is to say, we have not only a Coalition Government, but a coalition House of Commons, in which — national danger impending, and national respectability (by the adoption of a Reform Bill) having to be secured — individual differences are indiscriminately suppressed. Perhaps the theory that “government by party” is the only Government applicable to a mixed Constitution like that of England may be quite sound; but at any rate it is obvious that the Ministers of Queen Victoria are not just now in face of any tangible body to be termed “Her Majesty’s Opposition.” That there are, and will be, varieties of opinions upon varieties of subjects, is as certain as that there are 654 members of the House of Commons. But the House of Commons is, for the present, without any of those party organisations which indicate the continuance of Government by party. We may return to the ancient ways of watching, or waiting for our freedom, and arranging our prosperity; but, for the present, the National Council is unconstitutionally unsymmetrical — there are no “sides.” And such a tact is to Englishmen at such a time a subject for congratulation.

All was not, however, covleur de rose in the splendours of Tuesday’s ceremonies. There were more people along the line of the Royal procession than have been seen on any like occasion since the Queen went to open the Crystal Palace in 1851 — certainly a greater number than have attended any opening of Parliament since the inauguration of her Majesty’s first Parliament.

The New Houses of Parliament - St. Stephen's Porch

This crowd collected partly because of national excitement in the apprehension of a great European war, but chiefly because of the pre valence of what Lord John Russell termed in the evening of the same day, an “honest delusion” — a delusion, however honest, discreditable to the sagacity and good taste of those who encouraged it. It is undoubtedly a fact that all proper precautions were taken in anticipation of a possible manifestation of unpopularity.

The whole of the Horse Guards were out — an unprecedented thing, we believe; and every available policeman that could be obtained by Sir Richard Mayno was drafted to duty along the line of the procession. There was no hissing to an extent to render such precautions necessary; and, on the other hand, there being more people than usual, there was an unusual cheering — the few hisses arousing indignant loyalty. The signs of disapprobation were very partial in the Park; but in Parliament-street they were unmistakeably evident, and the cheering which suppressed them enables the loyal to afford to admit their existence.

In other respects, the procession was as usual. The crowd, respected and “chaffed” the Guards; cheered, with ironical cheers, that special Briton, the Beef-eater; admired the horses of the Royal carriages; and wondered at the beautiful women, beautifully dressed, who, in brilliant equipages, flashed past, on their way to the Peeresses’ boxes and the galleries in the House of Lords. When the carriage of the Turkish Ambassador appeared, solitary, and attracting all eyes by the peculiar livery of his servants, he was at once recognised, and, of course, heartily cheered. The scene was a complete political ovation, which will be talked about for months to come at Constantinople and by the soldiers of the army on the Danube. “Will the Russian Ambassador appear ?” was a general question; but M. de Brunnow showed his tact and stayed at home. The liveries of the French Minister were recognised, and His Excellency received a gratifying intimation that the Anglo-French alliance is a highly popular one.

The attendance at the House of Lords was both larger and earlier than usual. Long before the hour appointed for the opening of the doors, a protracted line of carriages connected the Victoria Tower with Charing-cross; and numerous ladies, wisely impatient of the delay occasioned by getting the vehicles up in turn, descended in all their full-dress glory, and made their way on foot to the humble entrance provided for them. The Royal Gallery — by which name is known the magnificent hall through which the Queen passes from the Robing-room to the House, and which is lined on each side with seats, row over row — was very soon filled; and lucky was the new arrival whose good looks, or pertinacity, procured her a seat twenty minutes after the doors were opened, though it was then nearly two hours before the Queen would arrive. Nor were the yet more favoured lady occupants of the North Gallery (that usually set apart for less interesting strangers) much later; and this “highly advantageous locality?” was speedily adorned with a goodly show of youth, beauty, and irreproachable millinery. The body of the House filled somewhat more slowly; but the numbers of Peeresses and their friends at length appeared to be much larger than ordinary, and they even entrenched upon the single marginal bench reserved for the ermine bars. The gallery to the left of the throne was also completely occupied, but that on the right was not filled. It only remains to remark, with the utmost respect, that the fair spectators, as usual, looked to far greater advantage at the opening of Parliament than at its close, and the fresh faces and healthy complexions spoke of country rides and sea breezes, rather than of the midnight mazurka and the crowded supper-room.

The Peers were late. There was a large assemblage of Judges (who clustered together in the centre of the House), and several members of the Episcopal Bench. The Ambassadors, as they arrived, did not take their places behind the Bishops, but joined in groups near the Throne, and their various uniforms and glittering decorations helped the striking picture presented by the scene. It was, of cour se, matter of speculation whether the Russian Ambassador would be present; and searching were the glances directed at each bedizened diplomat, to discover the representative of the Power whose misdeeds were expected to be exposed. But Baron Brunnow, if present (which we doubt), escaped observation. The Turkish Ambassador was there, and came in quite radiantly, having been tremendously cheered by the people.

Stairway of St. Stephen's Porch

The distinguished assembly seated itself, the ceremony of packing being performed with considerable dexterity, as well as courtesy, by the much-entreated officials ; and a few minutes before two the usual signal was given, and scarfs, opera mantles, and shawls, fell with a gentle rustle. A brief pause, and then come the guns, and then the subdued clangour of the military; music. A few minutes, and the picturesque procession, with its heralds, and nobles, and pages, entered — and then the Queen. The entire assembly rose, and remained standing until Her Majesty, having taken her seat upon the throne, graciously requested their Lordships to be seated. The Queen wore a splendid tiara of diamonds and a diamond necklace, a white satin dress, and a train of rich claret-coloured velvet. The ensigns of State, borne by the great officers, were duly posted to the right and left of the Sovereign. The Prince Consort took his seat; and word was given to summon the Commons. The ordinary and somewhat protracted delay ensued, but a trampling of feet and cries of “Order” were heard at last, the tall form of the Speaker appeared at the bar, and the members surged up behind him, and, let us add, manifested a strange lack of self-restraint, frequently causing portions of the Speech to be lost by the noise they made. Once, indeed, an enthusiastic member so far forgot himself as to cry “Hear, hear,” at a passage which, it may be presumed, strongly reflected his own political tenets.

Her Majesty The Queen Ascending The Throne in the House of Lords

Her Majesty then read, with her usual clearness and emphasis, the following Speech :-

…and here I leave the transcription for now.

A few months ago, I went to a lecture on tunnelling technologies, given by Professor Robert Mair FREng FRS, and specifically on what is known as compensation grouting. Meant to write up about it at the time, but it was not the sort of talk that was easy to write about, as the core of the talk needed the slides to illustrate what was being talked about.

However, the Royal Society – who hosted the talk – put podcasts of their lectures on their website, and today I finally got round to reviewing the details (mainly as the podcast page only works in Microsoft browsers!).

Today, I am going to focus only one aspect of the talk, which was also one of the more famous instances of compensation grouting, and that is the Jubilee Line work around the Clock Tower, more famously known as Big Ben. Timely, as the Clock Tower is 150 years old this week.

As a Jubilee Line tunnel was tunnelled by the tunnel boring machines (TBM), despite the best efforts of the workers, there is always a slight gap between the tunnel wall and the soil outside, leading to some subsidence at ground level. The gap is only a few millimetres, but when amplified around the entire tunnel diameter, that actually adds up to quite a bit of missing soil, and can cause significant problems. Before work starts on any tunnel now, ground surveys and measurements are taken to calculate the subsidence risks and effects on buildings.

In some areas, where the tunnels are likely to cause significant problems, compensation grouting is used.

This is basically steel pipes that are drilled into the ground above where the tunnel is due to be dug – before it arrives – that pump in a slurry type concrete mixture into the ground to “compensate” for the missing soil below.

For the Jubilee Line, this was complicated by the architecture of the location and the fairly shallow foundations of the infamous clock tower. The big risk, which was gleefully latched onto by the news media was that the tower would start to lean sideways towards the tunnel work and may even start to develop cracks or damage. As the TBM worked its way through Westminster, electronic monitors on the tower checked how far it was starting to topple, and then pumped grouting into the soil to basically push the tower back upright again.

The compensation grouting was only carried out at night – as the hole in the ground where they worked was right in the middle of the road, so covered during the day to allow road traffic.

At night the grouting machine was lowered into the hole, shown by the yellow circle.

The pipes drilled reaching under the ground were on average 60 meters in length. The black circles show where the grouting was inserted – and  on average about 150 litres of cement grout was pumped in at each point.

The following slide shows the movement of the tower. They knew the tower could withstand about 15mm of movement, measured at the height of the clock face, before action was needed – and you can see here how the tower started tilting, then a period where the compensation grouting was applied and after tunnelling, the period where the tower more slowly (and safely) settled.

Incidentally, the tower was already leaning before the tunnelling work started – by about 22cm to the North-West, which is said to be just noticeable to the eye.

Without compensation grouting, it is expected that the tower would have tilted by some 10cm at the top – which would have been obviously unacceptable.

–

The sides are taken from the podcast on the Royal Society, where you can watch the entire lecture. Note, the slides wont display in either Firefox or Chrome web browsers – so I had to use MSie to watch see them.

I’ll later do a write up about the work at Kings Cross as some aspects of that sound quite interesting, but needs more research work to be carried out.

Incidentally, if you want to climb up the Clock Tower, visits are fairly easy to arrange – a review of the details here.