As reported in the 'Post,' the Ministry of Justice says the "decline in usage" of the Dunheved Road court building meant it was no longer efficient to keep it open. The 'Post' revealed in May this year that cases would no longer be heard at Launceston.

The Ministry adds that the integration project to create Bodmin Law Courts means all court business in East Cornwall area could be undertaken there and at Liskeard Magistrates' Court.

But, town councillors voiced sadness and disappointment and contradicted the Ministry claim that witnesses and defendants could get to Bodmin by public transport. They also pointed out that usage figures were bound to fall once the decision was taken not to hear cases at Launceston.

They were also puzzled at the upgrading of custody cells at Launceston Police Station which meant that prisoners had to be taken from there to the courts instead of appearing in the town court.

Cllr Colin Warne did not think there was a lot of opposition because of the new courts at Bodmin and Liskeard.

Cllr Jacki Ellis-Martin said it seemed there was a new custody suite at the police station and no court. "If we have prisoners in Launceston they have to be taken to

Bodmin for hearings. It is not right."

Cllr Graham Facks-Martin said it was going to inconvenience people in the town and district because of the lack of public transport.

"I just feel it is sad — the present building is just totally inadequate."

He said there needed to be some joined up thinking. They had refurbished cells at Launceston (Police Station) ten years' ago. One would have thought that they would integrate the cells and the court but the new police station at Bodmin was built without cells, he added.

Cllr Brian Keighley said they were already transporting prisoners from Launceston to Bodmin.

Cllr Rob Tremain, the Deputy Mayor, said that Launceston had long had a judicial court in one form or another and circuit judges visited the town.

Launceston was growing with current and

proposed building and would become a much larger town.

He pointed out that the coroner's court was also held in the court building at Launceston. A separate Government document had proposed access to justice for everyone. "But, this closure is not for the benefit of local people."

He referred to an article in the Cornish & Devon Post by local solicitor Mike Warne, who had made "a robust

defence of Launceston" and had referred to the successful fight ten years' earlier to save the court.

Cornwall Councillor Alex Folkes, who was in attendance at the council meeting, suggested other options should be looked at — including bringing the building up to standard. If, at the end of the day, it was closed, at least they would have considered it.

If it was something that was going to happen. it was "very unfortunate" but they needed to

consider what use was made of the building in future.

The Mayor, Cllr Paul O'Brien, said he had been "very saddened" to hear of the proposed closure. It was yet

another service lost to local people. They were on the slippery slope to losing more Government offices and services."We have got fight for our town."

The town council resolved to make representations to the Ministry of Justice based on the substantial growth of the town; to point out the errors in the consultation document, and ask them to at least consider the case for providing an alternative in Launceston.