About time too

Friday, 03 August 2012

Commuters will have to find a new excuse for being late after a faulty clock tower was finally fixed.

The Edwardian timepiece in Clapham High Street was fixed just in time for it to welcome the arrival of the Olympic torch.

Its hands had been frozen at seven o’clock since March last year.

Lambeth councillor Shirley Cosgrave, who represents Clapham Common, said the problem started when workmen installing a new pedestrian crossing cut through its electricity cable by mistake.

She said: “The clock tower is a much-loved landmark, on which many of us rely for checking the time.

“The fact the clock had been stuck at seven o’clock conveyed a very negative impression to locals and passers-by alike, and I have been pressing the council to get it fixed.

“I am delighted this has finally happened.”

The stone clock tower, opened in 1906 by the Lord Mayor of London, stands about 8m tall and is one of the first things people see when stepping out of Clapham Common station.

Councillor Paul McGlone, Lambeth council’s cabinet member for finance, said it had not been an easy job to restore its power.

He said: “This clock is an important local landmark so it’s great news that it is now working again in time for the Olympics.

“Fixing it was largely out of the council’s hands because the problem was with the power supply and the work could only be undertaken by a lone supplier, UK Power Networks.

“We are pleased this has now been completed.”

The repairs cost £2,297 and the council is now considering powering the clock using a battery and solar power, to ensure there are no further stoppages.

Email: james.cracknell@slp.co.uk

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1 comments on this news item

Posted by : Jez, Lambeth | Wednesday 08/Aug/2012 | Report this comment

15 months to fix a stopped clock ???