THE senior presiding judge for England and Wales has said there are “real concerns” the local justice system will struggle to cope with the extra workload if Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court is shut.
The court in Northgate, Bridgwater, is one of 103 nationwide which the Ministry of Justice is considering closing to save money – the plan is to move all its work to Taunton Deane Magistrates’ Court.
Lord Justice Goldring has written an 89-page response to the MoJ’s consultation on the fate of all the courts.
In it, he lists 18 magistrates’ courts he thinks should be saved, 32 he thinks should go, and a further 53 for which he thinks more information is needed, including Bridgwater.
He says there is “real concern” that the extra workload created by closing the court has not been taken into account.
His response adds that the court is in use five days a week, and is likely to become busier with Bridgwater’s growing population.
He concludes: “I would suggest that more work is required on future demographic changes before a decision is taken to dispose of a building which appears to be in good condition.”
Frank Clegg, chairman of the bench at Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court, said: “There just isn't the room in Taunton for all of our cases, and with the custody suite at the new police headquarters looking after Bridgwater, Taunton and Weston, it just would not make sense.”
The MoJ says all responses to the consultation will be considered before the Lord Chancellor decides the fate of each of the courts later this year.
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