COST cutting plans to close Amersham Magistrates’ Court were announced by the Government today.

The Ministry of Justice said the King George V Road court was being used less and was not compliant with disability access laws.

COST cutting plans to close Amersham Magistrates’ Court were announced by the Government today - months after refurbishment plans were announced.

The Ministry of Justice told The Bucks Free Press today: ""HM Court Service has a portfolio of major build projects, which are at various stages of their development.

"In line with standard practice, these will be assessed as part of government investment and governance procedures."

Most criminal court cases are heard at magistrates’ courts. Only the most serious offences go to crown courts.

Mayor of Amersham, Councillor Martin Phillips, said he was shocked by the news.

He said: “I was wondering why the work didn’t appear to be proceeding.”

The building is also used by Amersham Town Council, which has moved during the works. Inquests have also been held there.

Ministers today announced plans to close 103 ‘underused and inadequate’ magistrates’ and 54 county courts to save £15.3m a year.

A consultation document (see links, bottom of story) said the 1968 Amersham building cost £79,587.70 last year to run and had a £7,000 maintenance backlog.

It said: “The court has not been used for magistrates’ court work since March 2010, though the court did not receive many cases before this.

“This has not had a negative impact on the delivery of justice in the area.”

No staff are permanently employed at the court, which has two court rooms but no custody or video link facilities or a ‘victim and witness suite’ and separate waiting areas.

It said the court is also ‘not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act’.

The document said the Ministry ‘will engage with staff and the trades unions throughout the consultation process’.

Transport links are ‘reasonable’ to other towns. The other nearest magistrates’ courts in Bucks are Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

Courts Minister Jonathan Djanogly said: “When public finances are under pressure, it is vital to eliminate waste and reduce costs.

“The Government is committed to supporting local justice, enabling justice to be done and seen to be done in our communities.”

Yet he pointed to peoples’ use of the internet to communicate and an increase in travel for work and leisure.

He said: “We now have the opportunity to think afresh about how we can create a more modern fit-for-purpose justice system in line with the way we live our lives today.”

Technology should be used more so people do not have to attend court, he said.

Click the links below for more.