Town leaders have launched a campaign to create a new combined court for criminal and civil cases in Macclesfield.
The move is a response to controversial Government plans to axe both magistrates and county courts and move cases to Crewe and Manchester, respectively.
Macclesfield MP David Rutley, Macclesfield Town Council and Cheshire East Council are proposing a Macclesfield Justice Centre bringing together the two courts.
They believe the plan will retain local access to the judicial system and make savings for the taxpayer.
It has been submitted to the consultation which closes on October 8.
Macclesfield Town Council are due to discuss the plan at its next meeting on Tuesday night.
Mr Rutley said: “Although I support the Government’s objectives at a national level, which are set out in the consultation, I have written to the Ministry of Justice to highlight the clear benefits of having a Macclesfield Justice Centre.
“I believe that a strong case is being submitted, and hope that the response is given the most serious consideration that it deserves. I will be speaking to Government Ministers about the response in the days ahead.”
In July the Ministry of Justice launched a consultation over the closure of 91 out of 460 ‘under-used’ court buildings in an attempt to save money.
The annual costs to run Macclesfield’s county court and magistrates court are £275,000 and £120,000 respectively.
Plans to move criminal matters to Crewe Magistrates’ Court would mean defendants, witnesses, solicitors and police ravelling 20 miles to court - 45 minutes in the car and more than a hour on public transport. Meanwhile cases normally heard at the county court will be moved to Manchester Civil Justice Centre which will cost up to £15 for a return journey on the train.
Councillor Beverley Dooley from Macclesfield Town Council, said she hopes the suggestion to retain a court in the town is taken seriously.
She added: “The council objects to the proposed closures and feel it would impact on justice for all in Macclesfield. The distances people will have travel are too far and you could end up with defendants, victims and witnesses all on the same bus and train. Then you gave the concern that people might just not turn up which will create more work for the police.”
