Six Shropshire courts could close in April

Six courts in Shropshire could close for good as early as April under the coalition Government's cost-cutting drive, it emerged today.

Ludlow, Oswestry and Market Drayton magistrates courts, together with Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow county courts, are to be axed.

A total of 93 magistrates courts and 49 county courts are to go across England and Wales - saving an estimated £15 million a year in running costs.

The move is also expected to save another £22 million over maintaining the buildings.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman today confirmed the closure programme would begin in April, but that no final decisions had been taken about which will go first.

She also revealed that the courts which sit the least frequently are be likely to be the first to be axed. It means courts such as Market Drayton magistrates - which typically sits twice a week - could be among the first to go, with its workload moved to Shrewsbury.

A report by the Ministry on its proposals says: "By closing courts that are underused, have poor facilities or are close to an alternative court with capacity to take its work, the estate will be better balanced against the workload and, on the whole, better equipped for the cases that are heard in them.

"Market Drayton Magistrates Court has poor facilities. The facilities at Telford and Shrewsbury are much better, offering improved access for court users, staff and judiciary.

"There is access for disabled users, full security presence and designated waiting areas."

During consultation on the plans, the Shrewsbury and North Shropshire magistrates bench commented: "Travelling times will increase for members of the public who live beyond Oswestry and Market Drayton.

"Whilst Shrewsbury can be reached in just under an hour by public transport from these towns, it will take at least 30 minutes longer from some outlying villages.

"This exceeds the recommended maximum travelling time and may impact on the willingness of witnesses and injured parties to attend Court or even to report crime."

Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said the current system was "unsustainable" in which many courts were left idle for long periods.

But Shropshire civic leaders have hit out at the closures, describing them as a "devastating" blow for the delivery of justice at a local level.

By James Pugh