SHOCK plans leaked to the World reveal that both courthouses in Widnes and Runcorn are earmarked for closure.

People would have to travel to a new multi-million pound eight-court building yet to be built in Warrington.

The proposals - part of a radical shake-up by Cheshire Magistrates' Courts Committee - were condemned this week by politicians, solicitors, magistrates, police officers and members of the public.

Halton MP Derek Twigg said: "It is ridiculous. I am opposed to any move to lose our courts. It is disgraceful that the leafy areas will keep their magistrates' courts but we will lose ours."

He is writing a strong letter of protest this week to the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine.

Leader of Halton Council Tony McDermott said he will be leading a vigorous campaign to fight the proposal.

He said: "This is a complete bombshell.

"This is of such importance and I think the whole community should gather together to oppose it vigorously.

"It is supposed to be local justice by local people. This is departing from the whole principle."

He said he could not find one single benefit for Halton in the proposal.

He added: "The astonishing thing about this is that it has been done without any consideration for the public. It is only for the convenience of the magistrates court service.

"There isn't any mention of the inconvenience and cost to the people who would have to travel."

A new national computer will soon link all the key agencies within the criminal justice system.

Court bosses believe the project will help them to save time and money and become more efficient by centralising services.

They claim Cheshire will only need 17 courtrooms to provide adequate provision for the next 30 years. At present, there are 25 courtrooms on nine sites.

The consultation document suggests keeping Chester's new courthouse and building new courthouses by 2004 in Warrington and Macclesfield.

"The creation of larger units will provide better value for money," says the leaked paper.

"There should be a minimum of 1,000 hours usage per courtroom per year and it should be sited so that it is within one hour travelling time by public transport for court users."

The proposals were condemned this week by local court users.

Solicitor and Halton councillor Frank Nyland said: "This is crazy. There won't be one voice in the borough to support this.

"The whole purpose of magistrates' courts is that it is local justice for local people by local people.

"We have the lowest number of car owners and lots of mothers with prams who have to take their kids to court with them.

"Legal aid will cost more because there will be more travelling time, more hanging around waiting to get on. The police will also spend more time travelling. With the capital cost of the new building, where is the saving?"

Hough Green councillors Phil Harris, Paul Nolan and Kevin Wainwright have joined forces to oppose the plans with a Hands Off Our Courts campaign.

They have identified 14 different court users who will be affected by the proposals.

They include the public, witnesses, children and young people, police, crown prosecution service, magistrates, court staff, solicitors, publicans, probation officers, local authorities, non-convicted accused persons, private prosecutors and the media.

In a letter, they say: "We remind the Cheshire Courts Committee that taxpayers in Widnes and Runcorn help pay for the courts. This current year, our local taxpayers are paying the courts £132,000 through their council tax. They don't just expect value for money, they also expect a proper service both now and in the future."

They point out that the courts don't just deal with criminal cases but also include civil matters, juvenile hearings, licence applications, domestic issues, planning and enforcement orders and a wide range of other functions.

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