Telford County Court set to close its doors within a year
Telford's county court is set to close, with its services moving into the neighbouring magistrates court, it has been revealed.
Telford County and Family Court will close its doors next year, HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) has confirmed.
Officials said the plans were part of its wider scheme of reorganisation and would allow court services to work out of fewer locations with little impact on services.
There is no news yet on any plans for the building, or whether it will have any impact on staff working in the court.
An HMCTS spokesman said: "We have a world-leading legal system and are investing over £1 billion to reform and digitise our courts to deliver swifter justice.
"Saving money on underused court buildings will allow us to reinvest in the justice system and make the best use of technology.
"This will improve access to justice and improve the experience for all court users, in particular vulnerable victims and witnesses."
HMCTS said it had already held consultation on the proposed move and is already working with staff over the move.
It comes after Shrewsbury lost its own magistrates court in March. It was one of 65 courts across England and Wales closed by the Ministry of Justice.
It means that people are now required to travel from north of Oswestry and from the south Shropshire border to Telford Magistrates Court for hearings.
Earlier this year, the Shropshire branch of the Magistrates Association objected to the closure on the basis that it would restrict access to justice by making it "difficult or impossible" for some people to get to Telford by 9.30am.
In its response the Ministry of Justice said it accepted that some people would face increased travel times but that people could make individual applications to have their cases heard at different times.
