Newly facelifted Big Ben will help London ring in the new year

Since restoration work began in 2017, Big Ben has been largely silenced, sounding only for important events.

The Union flag of Great Britain and Northern Ireland flies in front of the clock face of the Queen Elizabeth Tower, that holds the bell known as 'Big Ben.' Source: Press Association

Britain's Big Ben bell in parliament's landmark clock tower will ring at midnight on New Year's Eve, marking the start of a year for the first time since its new face was revealed from under scaffolding halfway through restoration work.

The work has seen the 96-metre-tall Elizabeth Tower, one of the most photographed buildings in Britain, enveloped in scaffolding for the last two years as the four clock dials are reglazed, ironwork repainted and intricately carved stonework cleaned and repaired.

Scaffolding surrounds the Elizabeth Tower housing the Big Ben clock of Britain's Parliament. Source: AP

In March, part of the scaffolding was removed, showing that the clock's once black numerals and hands have been repainted blue, in line with what scientists say was its original colour.

Since restoration work began in 2017, Big Ben has been largely silenced, sounding only for important events. It last tolled on Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

The bell will be tested several times in the run-up to New Year's Eve, parliament said in a statement.

The restoration work is due to be completed in 2021 and will be followed by a $7.4 billion restoration programme of the entire parliament building.