NEWBURY MP is determined to save Newbury Magistrates Court from facing the chop, after it was flagged in a review of "underused" courts.

Having successfully fought to save the court from closing in 2010, Richard Benyon is determined to keep the court on Mill Lane open, so that justice is "delivered locally, not remotely."

In a letter to Courts and Tribunals Minister, Shailesh Vara, Mr Benyon said: "As I make clear in my response, I do not believe that the closure of West Berkshire Magistrates’ Court fulfils all three of the pre-defined objectives as laid down in the Impact Assessment. Most notably, and in my opinion the most crucial - access to justice.

"Whilst technology undoubtedly has a role to play in our criminal justice system, for reasons I have outlined, it remains my position that justice must be seen to be being delivered locally, not remotely."

Newbury Magistrates Court is just one of 91 courts and tribunals across England and Wales which are being recommended for closure.

A 12 week consultation will conclude on October 8.

Mr Benyon said in his consultation response that the court had been intentionally run down.

He said: "As a Member of Parliament who was in Government at the height of the financial crisis, I understand more than most the need for reform and to reduce taxpayers’ exposure to the bloated public sector.

"That said, it has long been my view, and indeed that of West Berkshire Council, that West Berkshire (Newbury) Magistrates’ Court has been intentionally run down so as to realise this outcome.

"Any future closure will result in victims of crime who live to the west of Newbury, not to mention council officials, solicitors and police officers, undertaking an 80 mile round trip to attend court in Reading, or a 120 mile round trip to attend court in Maidenhead."

Mr Benyon raised concerns that the closure of the court will deter young offenders from attending.

He said: "I am clear that one of the founding principles of justice is localised justice and would urge the Department to think again where West Berkshire (Newbury) Magistrates’ Court is concerned. In centralising justice, cases will endlessly fail as they are put back and victims and witnesses will not turn up."

Nick Carter. chief executive at West Berkshire Council said: “This is very disappointing news. The council have been very involved in the campaign to keep the court open. We will continue to work with partners within the Safer Communities Partnership to see how the loss of the court could be mitigated locally should the closure go ahead.”