COURTS in Poole, Wimborne, Blandford and Lyndhurst could close under proposals announced by ministers yesterday.

The Ministry of Justice is consulting on plans to shut three Dorset magistrates’ courts and one in the New Forest, and merge Poole County Court with Bournemouth.

It comes after the confirmation in March that magistrates’ courts at Wareham, Sherborne and Bridport would close after a similar consultation.

If the plans go ahead it would leave just Poole, Bournemouth and Weymouth magistrates’ courts, and county courts in Bournemouth and Weymouth covering the whole county.

But courts minister Jonathan Djanogly insists the changes may not mean travelling miles for justice. He said: “I want to explore ways we can harness technology more effectively so people don’t necessarily have to physically attend court when they give evidence or access court services.

“We should not think about access to justice as simply a question of length of the journey to the nearest court.

“In the future, we need to look at whether through the more effective use of video and telephone links and other technology including online services, we can improve the public’s experience of the justice system.”

The ministry is asking for views on the closure of 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts deemed “underused and inadequate” in England and Wales.

If the plans go ahead it could save £15.3 million per year in running costs and £21.5 million on maintenance costs.

The ministry is also consulting on the merger of local justice areas – to allow more flexible deployment of magistrates.

The closing date for consultation responses is September 15.