CHORLEY MP Lindsay Hoyle has voiced concerns about plans to close the magistrates court.

A 10-week consultation was launched by the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice last week and the paper sets out proposals on the future of Chorley Magistrates’ Court including the closure of the buildings and the work being absorbed by other courts.

The closures would also contribute to the consolidation of the Lancashire criminal and family court estate and, through disposal, provide funding for the ongoing process of reforming court and tribunal services in England.

In the consultation report, it is claimed that they consider ‘that sufficient capacity exists within the North West court and tribunal estate to accommodate the workload of Chorley Magistrates Court’ and that Preston magistrates could take their cases.

Lindsay Hoyle MP said: “Chorley needs a magistrates court, it is as simple as that. The whole point of a magistrate is that justice is administered locally from within the community.

“People’s jobs are at risk and we know from closures of family courts and the county court that failures to attend massively increase when the court is further away, which costs even more time and money in the long run.

“When I met with the Justice Minister before the General Election I was assured that the Chorley site was safe and I want to know what has changed.

“I will work with staff and unions to ensure they are given a fair chance to keep this court open.”

Chorley Magistrates' Court has three courtrooms, as well as an interview room facility and ramped disabled access to the rear of the building.

It is one of six magistrates’ courts in Lancashire which hears criminal work, with the others being in Blackburn, Burnley, Blackpool, Lancaster and Preston - two are multi-jurisdictional.

In the report it says during 2016/17, operating costs were £140,000. The report reads: “It is proposed that Chorley Magistrates' Court closes and the workload move to Preston Magistrates' Court.

“The building at Chorley is currently under-used and by relocating the work of Chorley magistrates to Preston there is an opportunity to reduce our operating costs and re-invest in remaining courts.

“Should Chorley Magistrates' Court close it would allow for a more streamlined and efficient service.”

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer said: “This government is investing over £1billion to reform and modernise the justice system – making it more convenient, easier to use, and providing better value for the taxpayer.

“As we increase the use of digital services, it makes sense to consider the wider role and need for Court buildings and assess whether some are still necessary to provide effective access to justice.

"Where physical courts are to close, every penny raised will be put back into funding changes which will make justice easier to access for all at the same time as offering protections for the most vulnerable.” Fleetwood magistrates is also at risk of the same proposal as they would close too.