I AM completely shocked that Sale Magistrates' Court may be closed.

Salford Magistrates' Court was closed and transferred to the Central Manchester Court because the building was structurally unsound and was subject to flooding. It was cheaper to amalgamate it to the Manchester Court rather than build a new Salford Court.

Sale Court complex is relatively new with an excellent car park and, even for casual visitors, good parking facilities either outside (for disabled) or in the supermarket carpark. It is also easy to get to for anyone in Trafford by public transport.

When I visited Sale Court I was astounded how many cases they were expected to see in a day. The cases ranged from common assault and theft to fraud, and there were so many cases to see that day that some had to be transferred to another Court room or threatened with cancellation.

How anyone can justify closing this Court down astounds me, and makes me think that someone, somewhere is looking at facts and figures without noting consequences of case loads (how long each case actually takes to be heard), and the locations of the court room for those attending it.

I have also visited the Manchester Magistrates Court. There is no direct bus to the complex from Trafford towns, the nearest train station is Deansgate and, as I am disabled, the nearest parking I could find was still a fair walk to the courts, and in addition Central Manchester parking fees are extortionate.

If they close the Sale courts the waiting time for cases will increase and a perfectly good modern building will become obsolete.

More importantly - local engagement with criminal and civil justice will become disengaged, which is against the precepts of justice for the community in the magistrates' courts.

June Bowden, via email