The scaffolding that surrounds the Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, commonly known as Big Ben, has begun to be gradually removed.

Work on the restoration of the clock faces of the 96-meter tower located in the north-eastern part of the UK Parliament began in 2017.

Residents and visitors of London will be able to see the fully restored Big Ben and hear the famous clock strike in the spring of 2022.

The glass panels of Big Ben's dials were replaced with new ones, and the numbers, arrows and other details were repainted in bright blue.

The cost of restoration works is 100 million US dollars.