Another one bites the dust - Devizes Courts Closure

8.19.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 20th Aug 2009

The decline of Wiltshire's public services continues with the closure of Devizes magistrates court.

Salisbury New Law Courts

The closure follows the completion of a new courthouse in Salisbury. Those accused of misdemeanours and other users of the criminal justice system will now have to go either to Chippenham or Salisbury, so the traditional British concept of local justice is virtually defunct.

Ironically one of the reasons for closing Devizes was its lack of parking provision. The number of parking spaces at the new Salisbury courthouse available for members of the public is, apparently, zero.

There had been a court in Devizes since 1141.

One consolation for Wiltshire taxpayers is that the site of the old courthouse could now be sold by Wiltshire Council for housing development.