By Hayley Robinson

Further work is needed before the future of Sittingbourne Magistrates' Court is decided - that's the view of the senior presiding judge for England and Wales.

Lord Justice John Goldring was asked to consider the proposed closure in response to a Ministry of Justice's consultation to close 157 courts nationally.

Under the proposal, magistrates, witnesses, defendants, police and representatives of all the other agencies that attend the Park Road court would have to travel to either Medway or Canterbury courts.

The ministry says no defendant should have a travelling time to court of more than 60 minutes.

Swale magistrates argued people living at the eastern end of Sheppey would have journeys of two hours-plus to Canterbury or Chatham resulting in increased travelling costs.

They also pointed out that Sittingbourne courthouse has disabled access, meets the criteria for facilities laid down by the ministry, and is also in use for more than 80 per cent of the time.

Their arguments were echoed in Lord Justice Goldring's response.

He said: "A journey from the Isle of Sheppey to Chatham by bus can take up to two hours and can involve up to three changes.

"Train travel involves at least one change and would entail travel at peak expense (cost of £7.20 as opposed to the £4.80 quoted) to arrive by 10am."

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke is likely to make a decision in December.