Lawmakers could have to move out of crumbling UK Parliament

FILE - In this Thursday, July 26, 2007 file photo, a general view of the Houses of Parliament on the river Thames in London. A committee charged with stopping Britain's creaky, leaky Parliament from falling down is set to say whether lawmakers will have to move out for several years so repair work can be done. The Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster has been studying options for the 19th-century complex, which needs work to repair collapsing roofs, crumbling walls and leaking pipes, and to remove asbestos. The BBC and other media say the committee will Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 back the shortest proposal, which would see members of the House of Commons and House of Lords move to temporary premises for six years. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) FILE - In this Thursday, July 26, 2007 file photo, a general view of the Houses of Parliament on the river Thames in London. A committee charged with stopping Britain's creaky, leaky Parliament from falling down is set to say whether lawmakers will have to move out for several years so repair work can be done. The Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster has been studying options for the 19th-century complex, which needs work to repair collapsing roofs, crumbling walls and leaking pipes, and to remove asbestos. The BBC and other media say the committee will Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 back the shortest proposal, which would see members of the House of Commons and House of Lords move to temporary premises for six years. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

By Associated Press September 8, 2016 2 min read

LONDON (AP) – A committee charged with stopping Britain’s creaky, leaky Parliament from falling down is set to say Thursday whether lawmakers will have to move out for several years so repair work can be done.

The Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster has been studying options for the 19th-century complex, one of London’s most famous landmarks, which needs work to repair collapsing roofs, crumbling walls and leaking pipes, and to remove asbestos.

A study by Deloitte Real Estate last year laid out three options, taking between six and 32 years.

The BBC and other media say the committee will back the shortest timeframe, known as a “full decant.” It would see members of the House of Commons and House of Lords move to temporary premises nearby for six years starting in about 2022.

The plan, estimated to cost about 3.5 billion pounds ($4.7 billion), requires lawmakers’ approval.