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Posted by guest on 15th August 2010 at 10:39 PM
Video: Courthouse Blues for Salford Magistrates
By Stuart Owen

After plans to build a new justice centre in Eccles were quashed by the government last November it appears that Salford is in grave danger of losing its own courts.

The decision to knock-back a multi-million pound court in Eccles means that unless the plans are reassessed by Whitehall, other options are limited.

Those options include refurbishing the existing courthouse at Bexley Square, a move to Manchester (retaining the Salford bench), or the more likely outcome: a full amalgamation with the Manchester courts service.

A delegation of officials led by Ian Stewart, current MP for Eccles, met with Justice Secretary Jack Straw back in February to present a case for Salford to retain its own courts, but a final decision is yet to be made.

Salford has boasted its own judicial system for a thousand years, and the city's Magistrates Court has existed for over two hundred years. However the probable outcome means that Salford will lose that independence.

As well as acting as a base for the day to day running of the legal system in Salford, the court has also been responsible for various pioneering initiatives in local community justice.

A closure wouldn't directly affect any businesses that lie close to the courthouse due to the regeneration of the Chapel Street area, but if the courts are taken away and amalgamated with Manchester, all cases will go through their courts services, meaning people appearing before the bench will have to travel to the Manchester city centre.

In addition to the 156 magistrates who currently sit on the Salford Bench, a further 40 jobs in cleaning and security staff at Bexley Square could be lost.

The decision has created a furore amongst staff at the courts who believe that a revamp of the existing building is a realistic option, after the courts at Minshull Street in Manchester successfully received the same treatment.

One man who firmly believes this is current Chairman of the Bench at Salford Magistrates Court, Dr Roger Hall, who expressed his arguments in his interview. Backing up this view was former Chairman of the Bench, Pauline Holt.

See video for full story.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Albert.Spiby ( member )  14th April 2010
Please do tell .... "A few stories about that Court" @Guest 13th April. I would be very interested indeed.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Editor ( member )  13th April 2010
PETITION TO KEEP OUR MAGISTRATES’ COURTS. During the General Election campaign the Downing Street online petitions system is closed to new submissions and signatures, however SalfordOnline.com will be registering an e-petition to keep the Magistrates’ Courts in Salford as soon as the facility reopens after the formation of a new Government. Please support the petition, with approximately 166,000 registered voters alone in Salford WE CAN MAKE OUR VOICE HEARD. In the meantime MAKE THIS AN ELECTION ISSUE with each of the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates seeking your vote.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  13th April 2010
i know there been alot of waste with the money, expences the lot rotton from the top 2 bottom, ex employee

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  13th April 2010
I could tell you a few storys about that court.... Ex empolyee, all is not what it seems

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