Last day for court in Devizes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Last day for court in Devizes

9:35am Wednesday 1st July 2009

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August 17 will be an historic day in Devizes when magistrates consider cases in the town for the very last time.

The decision to close the courts, which have met in a temporary building in Northgate Gardens for more than 20 years, was taken in 2002 when the building of a new combined courts complex in Wilton Road, Salisbury, was announced.

The closure of the Devizes courts was suspended until the new complex was complete, but as that is due to take place on September 1, the closure will now take place.

Many cases from the former Kennet district are already being heard at Salisbury magistrates’ court, which is due to move from the Guildhall on September 1.

Michael Ancram MP has been fighting the proposals to end local justice in his constituency since the decision was announced in February 2002 and recently wrote to Justice Minister Jack Straw on the subject.

He received a reply from Mr Straw last week and was incensed at its content.

Mr Ancram said: “It think that this reply is complacent and totally misses the point about local justice not only being done but being seen to be done.”

Mr Straw wrote: “The new court complex will replace a number of buildings in Salisbury and South East Wiltshire that have hitherto posed significant difficulties for court users and staff.

“The magistrates’ court in Devizes is a temporary structure comprising two courtrooms, purchased second-hand from the library service in the mid-1980s with a life expectancy of 15 years.

“These buildings have no public parking and do not fully meet current anti-disability discrimination and health-and-safety legislation.”

However, there will be no public parking at the new courts either. Only court staff, police and solicitors will be able to park at the courts.

Members of the public will have to walk from the city centre, railway station or city centre car parks, or take a bus from the park-and-ride centres, the nearest one for Devizes which is at Wilton.

Those called to court can ask for their cases to be dealt with at Chippenham or Swindon magistrates’ courts if they prefer, but they are warned that this would only be possible if it is convenient to all other parties.

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