Colchester: Date set for new court complex

10:52am Saturday 19th July 2008

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WORK is due to start next year on Colchester's new multi-million court complex.

The two magistrates courts in Colchester Town Hall are Grade I listed but are not considered to be suitable for legal processes in the 21st century.

Colchester MP Bob Russell has been lobbying for action to build the new complex which he said had been delayed for ten years.

Now Maria Eagle, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Justice has said work should start next autumn.

The new courts complex will be built off Magdalen Street near Colchester Town railway station.

Mark Kram, chief press officer of Her Majesty's Court Service, said the new building will have five courtrooms as well as cells.

He said: "The capital value of the project is £30 million and we are currently looking at how this will be funded.

"It is planned that building work commence during 2009 and that construction will be completed by summer 2011."

Mr Russell welcomed the announcement but said the Government had dithered over the issue.

He said: "The courts have been on the list for more than ten years - that is equal to the duration of the two world wars.

"If that is not dithering on a grand scale, what is."

However Ms Eagle said Mr Russell should be grateful Colchester was ninth on the long list of courts needed around the country.

She added: "He should be saying thank you that Colchester is about to get a £16.5 million court house."

Mr Russell resonded: "I am obviously pleased to get a date of 2009 but I have been several times over the years when hopes were high on the horizon only for them to be dashed.

"I will believe it when I see it. The current court is not good enough for the processing of legal matters in Colchester - for those administering justice, those working in the justice system and witnesses who are giving evidence."