PROPOSALS to close Harrow Magistrates' Court will be 'fought every step of the way' according to the borough's two main political parties - who tomorow (July 29) launch a petition against the move.
The Ministry of Justice is now consulting on plans to close Harrow and 10 other courts in London in Government cost-cutting measures and Harrow Council is leading a cross-party fight against the proposals.
If the court house in Rosslyn Crescent was to be close down it could result in cases being moved to Brent or Hendon.
As a result the council is urging residents to back the campaign to save Harrow Magistrates’ Court, by signing an online petition.
It was argued by the Ministry of Justice that the court in Harrow should be axed because of a number of existing problems including poor wheelchair access, limited waiting space, lack of segregation between adult and youth courts, no secure van bay for prisoners and pipework urgently in need of replacing.
In that response, the Council will argue that it is high performing and has the best courtroom usage figures in West London.
That closing the court could mean victims or witnesses from Harrow have to travel for over an hour, at extra expense, to attend cases and that the cost and journey time could discourage people from giving crucial evidence.
It will also state that the closure would increase costs for the Council, police and other agencies who have to send officers to courts out of the borough and that as a listed building, the alternative uses of the site are limited and it could cost £130,000 a year to maintain the building if it is empty.
Speaking about the campaign to save the court councillor Bill Stephenson, Leader of Harrow Council, said: “We want local justice for local people in Harrow and we will fight these proposals every step of the way.
“The loss to people in Harrow would be immense. Courts in Brent and Hendon are not easy to reach for many local people and if witnesses are put off giving evidence, we could tip the scales of justice away from victims and in favour of offenders.
“That’s why I’m urging local people to show their anger at this threat to local justice by signing our petition to help save Harrow Magistrates’ Court.”
Cllr Susan Hall, Leader of the Conservative Opposition Group on Harrow Council, added: “It is an outrage that Harrow’s court should even be considered for closure with its excellent performance figures and high usage.
“The financial reasons don’t even stack up as of all the courts proposed for closure in London, closing Harrow will also achieve some of the smallest savings.
“We have saved the magistrates’ court from closure before and all parties on Harrow Council will stand shoulder to shoulder to fight these proposals and save the court again.”
Petition can be found at www.harrow.gov.uk/saveourcourt
