The Ministry of Justice has announced that Northallerton Magistrates’ Court is to close.
The court is one of seven around the country which are being closed.
The Government says the courts are either underused, dilapidated or too close to another court.
Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke said: “All money raised from the sale of these buildings will be reinvested into the justice system, and we want to reassure communities that those affected by closures will have access to alternative courts.
“We must ensure we use public money effectively and make decisions in the best interest of the wider justice system.”
The closure comes despite Richmond MP and the police and crime commissioner appealing for the facility to stay open.
Richmond MP Rishi Sunak has today expressed his disappointment at the decision.
Mr Sunak said: “This is very disappointing news for the staff who work there and my constituents who may have cause to use Northallerton court.”
Mr Sunak opposed the closure in his response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on the proposal and met Justice Minister Lucy Frazer to spell out his concerns about the plan.
However, Mr Sunak welcomed the assurance ministers had given him about measures to mitigate the closure.
These include the implementation of Mr Sunak’s suggestion to use video facilities in Northallerton to avoid constituents having to make long journeys to the remaining courts in the county where possible.
He said: “I am grateful they have acknowledged the challenges we face in this part of North Yorkshire and that they have pledged not close the court until they have installed the video facilities and that they are working satisfactorily.”
Mr Sunak also welcomed the department’s commitment to be flexible when scheduling court hearings so that constituents who have to travel can reach court in time.
He added that he would closely monitor the new arrangements that were put in place for their effectiveness.
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They closed leyburn court, then Richmond, now Northallerton; so much for the principle of local justice.
Sadly, yet another demonstration of the huge mismatch between central government’s empty rhetoric about the Northern powerhouse and the reality that funding stays mainly within the M25.