THE battle to save one of the last remaining magistrates courts in North Yorkshire has failed after the Ministry of Justice confirmed it is to close.

The move to shut Northallerton court immediately came under fire from politicians and North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan, who said it is a bad decision and a blow for local justice.

The Ministry of Justice announced the decision had been made because the court was only used 34 per cent of the time last year, with the majority of work coming from outside the area. Officials said savings will be reinvested into reform and modernising systems. It has been agreed not to close the court until video links can be installed in Northallerton after concerns over travel times to the nearest courts on Teesside and in York.

Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Councillor Carl Les said: “This is a bad decision for all of the local area as travel times to get to other courts will be excessive. It suggests that the decision makers have seen the cost of something, but not the value. This is hugely disappointing, in that we haven`t been listened to, but also very worrying for the future of local justice.”

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak said: “This is very disappointing news for the staff who work there and my constituents who may have cause to use Northallerton court. I am grateful they have acknowledged the challenges we face in this part of North Yorkshire and that they have pledged not to close the court until they have installed the video facilities.”

Mrs Mulligan said: “I believe this is the wrong decision taken at the wrong time. We will be looking very carefully at it and the process that has led to it. Access to justice is hugely important for rural communities who too often feel their views are not heard, and the closure of Northallerton Magistrates Court will reinforce that perception, particularly the proposal to move our dedicated traffic court to West Yorkshire.”

She protested that there is too little detail to work out whether the promise of a video link will help the victims of crime and there is no commitment to wider investment in other North Yorkshire courts. Northallerton is one of seven being closed in the country as part of the latest justice system reforms.