Lawyers have hit out at proposals to axe Keighley and Skipton magistrates’ courts and the county courts in both towns.

It follows the announcement by the new Government to slash the justice budget and save millions of pounds.

Facing the chop are 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts in England and Wales.

The Ministry of Justice has published a consultation document and says it could save £15m in running costs and £21m in maintenance expenses.

Solicitor Paul Fitzpatrick, who works at the Keighley and Skipton courts, said: “I’m concerned that ‘Access to Justice’ appears to be taking a backseat.

“The long-term impact may be the creation of Legal Aid deserts as firms re-trench to the towns and cities where the court centres are.

“Criminal Legal Aid practices in Keighley and Bingley not only provide legal services in these areas but also, along with one firm based in Skipton, throughout the vast Skipton Petty Sessional Division, which includes Settle and Ingleton.

“All firms who provide Legal Aid services have been subjected to budget cuts in recent years, and with more in the pipeline many may have no option but to relocate, if indeed some do not disappear altogether.

“Once again it appears that those members of the community who are most vulnerable are the ones who are going to suffer.”

His colleague, Julian White, said: “People have difficulty enough getting to Bingley from Keighley and further afield as it is. Some actually walk because they haven’t the money.

“The people who have come up with these ideas have no concept of the social ramifications.”

Keith Blackwell, who has worked the Keighley and Skipton circuit for almost 40 years, said: “The Government should be looking to improve the court facilities, especially in Bingley where the Keighley Bench sits.”

Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins said the Emergency Budget underlined the requirement to examine all possible avenues to save public money if the most vulnerable in society were to be protected.

“No final decisions have yet been made on which courts will close so we must wait for the outcome of the consultation process,” he added.