THE possible closure of Epping Magistrates Court is being opposed by Epping Forest Council, which says the move is "alarming".o

The executive committee has asked chief executive John Burgess to write to the Essex Magistrates Court Committee setting out the council's opposition, and it has called for a representative from the magistrates court committee to appear in person to explain the reasons behind the plan.

Council leader Andrew Thompson said: "We're very alarmed by the latest proposals to close Epping Magistrates Court. On the last occasion the court was under threat, in 1997, we fought the proposals and we were assured that its future was secured."

Reasons against the closure and a new or refurbished court building in Harlow include travelling expenses incurred by people attending hearings including defendants and witnesses and the quality of justice.

Mr Thompson said: "The journey will be much more inconvenient for anyone travelling by car, let alone using public transport.

"Services between outlying areas and Epping could be better but it would become even harder and more expensive for anyone travelling to Harlow.

"I would also like to know how much extra time police officers would spend travelling to and from court when they should be on patrol."

He added: "We have a real concern about the quality of justice under the new proposals. Would witnesses travel longer distances or defendants choose to plead by letter rather than give evidence in person?

"Either of these situations could potentially affect the quality of evidence, decisions of innocence and guilt and the severity of sentences."

Essex Police has been asked to make its views known to the council's overview and scrutiny committee.

November 15, 2001 8:25