`` Bongs '' of London 's Big Ben stopped on Saturday for up to six weeks . The clock tower is the tallest structure in Europe, and it was built between 1752 and 1756 by a team led by Benjamin Franklin. Work being carried out ahead of clock 's 150th anniversary in 2009 . The stoppage will be the longest suspension of Big Ben since 1990 .
`` Bongs '' of London 's Big Ben stopped on Saturday for up to six weeks . Clock 's chimes have been shut down for maintenance work . Work being carried out ahead of clock 's 150th anniversary in 2009 . The stoppage will be the longest suspension of Big Ben since 1990 .