WARRINGTON Borough Council is “deeply dismayed” at the announcement that despite strong local opposition, the town is to lose its county court – just 25 years after it was opened.
The closure – the exact date of which has yet to be confirmed – follows a review of court services carried out by HM Courts and Tribunals Service Estates.
County court hearings – currently held in the Law Courts building, off Legh Street – will be switched to Liverpool or Manchester.
The borough council was one of more than 400 organisations which responded to a consultation last year. They were strongly opposed to the move.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, lead member for public health and wellbeing, said: “We are deeply dismayed at this decision. The impact on Warrington – the people served by the family court and the local organisations it does business with – will be considerable. It appears that Warrington’s collective views have fallen on deaf ears.
“All family cases will be relocated away from the town to Liverpool or Manchester. There will be a huge impact on the most vulnerable people who are involved in care and related proceedings. Many will not be able to afford the transport and costs of a day in Liverpool. Those on benefits and low incomes will struggle with costs and those in employment will have to take more time away from work to attend court.”
Warrington County Court moved to Legh Street in 1991, along with the Crown Court, when the £6.3 million Law Courts building was opened.
Previously they had both been in an old court building off Winmarleigh Street – now The Pyramid Arts Centre.
One of the main reasons for building the new courts was to enable the increasing number of cases to be dealt with in Warrington, rather than being sent out-of-town.
“Deep dismay” at county court closure
00 Comments
