BOLTON County Court and Bolton Family Court will close and move to Manchester as part of the Ministry of Justice reduction in its court buildings to save money.

The MoJ says Bolton County Court was operating at 49% capacity. But this was only the figure for the last financial year and how do I know for sure its usage wasn’t reduced by the MoJ in order to assist this decision?

And when I read that Manchester Civil Justice Centre, upon taking Bolton cases, will then work to its proper capacity, how do I know this has not been planned by the MoJ for some time in various ways?

More worryingly, is this reduced use of the Bolton County Court linked to reduced access to legal aid and worry about court fees? People making claims register where they are based. So debt recovery firms seeking money from Bolton residents can be using other courts like city courts. Bolton residents with a case against a retailer such as for faulty goods or against a landlord such as for disrepair damages feel disempowered and lack access to advice since civil legal aid has been slashed.

If the County Court does close because the government has to save money there will still be victims with civil law matters. Is it unreasonable to close Bolton Family Court? My view is that it is. Like other councillors in Greater Manchester and our MPs I am speaking out about decisions that will be detrimental to residents. In order to have a Family Court operating in Bolton a suitable building would be needed. I am resistant to see the family law cases of the biggest town in England move out to Manchester with the difficulties for parents and children this may bring about. Alas, a part of Bolton local justice will fade from us.

Cllr Sue Haworth

Harper Green ward