The verdict of West Yorkshire's magistrates' courts chief on calls for Keighley to have its own courts again should be challenged.

The "if it ain't broke why fix it" argument put forward by Patrick Traynor, the justice's chief executive, along with his submission that it would be a gross waste of public money have to be taken into consideration.

Mr Traynor also reckons it is the wrong time to start looking at opening a magistrates Court in Keighley. Why? Surely, the new Courts Bill which is putting magistrates and county courts under the umbrella of a single agency, has provided a platform for a review.

The need for Keighley to have it's own courts once again is nothing to do with turning the clock back and the return of a facility "stolen" from it.

For an ever-growing town the size of Keighley -- coupled with the exciting development plans -- a court is a basic but vital facility bringing an extra sense of gravitas to the area.

It is also important, as we have said before, that justice literally needs to be seen to be done. The physical presence of a building saying "Magistrates Court" sends out a subliminal message to would be offenders.

Obviously, the financial scales of justice have to be balanced and Mr Traynor may be right about the waste of money.

That said, it would be worth asking the question of how much does it cost in both travel and time for people to attend hearings in Bingley? Remember the story of the felon who stole a car to get from Keighley to Bingley for a court hearing.

We have no hesitation in urging readers to back this renewed campaign and sending a considered appeal to the Lord Chancellor.