At last, there’s a feeling of momentum around the massive project to refurbish the Houses of Parliament. For years, we have been reading reports that highlighted the shocking state of the buildings, and yet aside from a bit of hand-wringing, politicians have failed to take decisive action. That inertia seemed to evaporate in the devastating fire at Notre-Dame last month. It was suddenly clear to all that the Palace of Westminster is not just in need of a bit of a makeover: the fact is that without urgent work this World Heritage Site with its grade I-listed buildings is in danger of burning to the ground. 

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