Bridgwater loses courthouse amid nationwide MoJ closures

On August 9, 2011, the Mercury reported that the court would shut its doors in January 2012, when its casework would be transferred to Taunton. 

Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court, located at Northgate in Bridgwater, was one of 93 that closed in England and Wales under the coalition government. 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the closures would save taxpayers £41.5 million, plus a possible £38.5 million from the sale of assets.

Of that, £22 million was to be spent on upgrading the courts that took on extra workload.

The closure went ahead despite a campaign to save it, which began in December 2010 after the MoJ confirmed the Bridgwater site was set to be axed.

Frank Clegg, chairman of the bench at Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court, feared that people from the district may have been discouraged from attending hearings in Taunton due to the increased travel time. 

“We found out only seven of the 54 parishes in Sedgemoor can reach the nearest magistrates’ court in Taunton inside an hour and there’s no access at all to public transport in 25 parishes,” said Mr Clegg. 

“Local justice has gone out of the window. If there’s no local justice, what sort of society do we live in?”

Frank Clegg, chairman of the bench, fought the decision to close the court. (Image: Newsquest)

When the closure was announced, Eileen Westwood, chair of the Sedgemoor Justices, Eileen Westwood, said: “There is understandable disappointment that Bridgwater will be losing its historic courthouse, the founding stone of which was laid 100 years ago in 1911, but we recognise there is a need to achieve savings and streamline arrangements for the delivery of summary justice in Somerset.”

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger described the decision as “an absolute disgrace”, saying Taunton's court “cannot cope with its workload as it is”.

On December 11, 2011, staff said a fond farewell to Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court after justice was carried out there for the final time. 

Court security officer Brett Allen, who had worked at the courthouse for three years, said: “I’m surprised that it’s closing because Bridgwater’s a large area with lots of petty crime, such as domestic issues, which is what the magistrates’ court deals with.

“I think it’s sad – it’s got a nice community feel with staff who have worked here for years.”

Usher Bob Russell, who had worked there for six years, said: “It’s a sad day for the courthouse itself and for local justice.

“It closed for six weeks about five years ago and not as many people as we expected failed to appear then.”

Other local organisations were affected by the closure,because all proceeds from the courthouse's drinks and snack shop were donated to local charities, including Penrose School, Headway Somerset and Bridgwater Hospital’s League of Friends.

Concerns were raised about the increased travel times people would face if Sedgemoor Magistrates' Court closed. (Image: Newsquest)

Solicitor Kieran Hughes, who worked at the courthouse since he qualified in 2000, said: “It’s very sad and a bitter blow to local justice.”

An MoJ spokesman said the closure was “cost-effective”, adding that the transport links between Bridgwater and Taunton were considered good enough for the public to use.

The former Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court building is currently on the market with Hollis Morgan with a guide price of £535,000. Planning has been granted to convert the property into 10 flats and office space.