Ex-magistrate's warning over court closures

A former Shropshire magistrate today warned against Government proposals to close three county courts amid fears they could disrupt the maintenance of law and order.

Judith Clayton, former chairman of the Market Drayton Petty Sessional Division, said plans to close magistrates courts in Market Drayton, Oswestry and Ludlow should be resisted and public awareness should be raised before it's too late.

The Government wants to close the courts along with Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow county courts.

Plans to axe courts across Shropshire would cost 16 jobs but save the Government more than £430,000.

Mrs Clayton said: "The suggested closure of the local courts in Market Drayton, Oswestry and Ludlow is a proposal that should be strongly resisted.

"It will have a negative impact on community involvement in law and order as people will be unable to see the outcome of a crime that has happened in their area.

"People will also be put off from becoming a magistrate because they won't want to have to travel to central offices."

Mrs Clayton, who lives in Whitchurch, fought long and hard to retain the town's magistrates court which closed in 2001 because of health and safety fears at the town's civic centre.

"As a retired magistrate who fought long and hard to retain the Whitchurch court I know how hard it is to raise public awareness until it is too late," she added.

The courts are on a list of 103 magistrates courts and 54 county courts in England and Wales whose futures will be consulted on until September, as the Government grapples with reducing Britain's £155 billion deficit.

The Ludlow magistrates and county courts share the same listed building in Mill Street. It is proposed to move them to Telford.

Oswestry magistrates sit twice a week and work would be transferred to Shrewsbury. The county court shares the same building in Holbache Road and a district judge sits four days a month. It is proposed to transfer the service to Telford.

Shrewsbury County Court premises are said to be "not fit for purpose" and it is proposed to move services to Telford.

Work at Market Drayton Magistrates Court would be transferred to Shrewsbury.