THE region’s MP has made a plea to keep North Avon Magistrates’ Court in Yate open as a consultation on its future ends today (Thursday, October 8).

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall has made his submission to save the court, on Kennedy Way, one of 70 listed for closure by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

Mr Hall said he felt ‘very strongly’ about the issue and wanted to persuade the Ministry of Justice to retain the court. The department is looking to make savings in its £500million leased building estate and has proposed to close either North Avon or Bath magistrates’ court along with nine others in the South West.

Whichever court is closed will be merged with Bristol Magistrates’ Court, which only has the capacity to take on the workload of either North Avon or Bath.

In a lengthy letter to the Under Secretary of State for Justice, MP Sailesh Vara, Mr Hall asked for the fact the court in Yate is the only one in South Gloucestershire to be given consideration.

He said travelling to Bristol would incur added financial and time pressures for people, many of whom are vulnerable or from rural areas where public transport is infrequent.

“As a result, many cases may be delayed or cancelled due to the individuals arriving late or failing to attend altogether,” he said. “ “As this is designed as a cost-cutting measure, the incidents of cases not being heard will result in additional costs to Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunals Service, and prove contrary to what the closure is designed to do.”

The court, which has 12 custody cells and eight waiting rooms and includes a family and youth court with separate entrance, costs £286,000 annually to run but last year it was only used to 28 per cent of its available capacity. In comparison, Bath Magistrates’ Court cost £435,000 to run last year.

Mr Hall said: “I feel very strongly about this issue.

“The magistrates’ court provides a service to the community that many people are dependent on for various reasons. I hope that the Ministry of Justice will agree that it is important for the Yate area to retain this vital asset where it is accessible and visible.”

He said Yate being ranked the 18,159th most deprived neighbourhood out of 32,482 in the country was an additional reason to keep the court open.

Sandra Aston, delivery director for HM Courts and Tribunals Service South West, said: “I am committed to working with rural communities to provide alternative ways for the public to access the justice system.

“These could include the use of civic or other public buildings for occasional hearings, video links or telephone or paper hearings to avoid travel altogether.”

Mr Hall has appealed for the 13 staff at North Avon Magistrates’ Court to keep their jobs.