MP calls for clarity over future viability of Wrexham Magistrates Court

Calls for clarity on the future viability of Wrexham Magistrates’ Court once the town’s current police station relocates, have been made.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has been pushing Justice Ministers for solid answers over their plans for custody cells to serve the court for several months.

However with Wrexham’s main police headquarters relocating to a multi-million pound development in Llay next year, Mr Lucas has warned that proposals from the Government have yet to be unveiled.

Wrexham’s current police station, the iconic tower block on Bodhyfryd, is set to be demolished next summer – with the new state-of-the-art headquarters set to be operational by August 2018. Once open the new building will provide modern custody facilities with 32 cells to detain people arrested in Wrexham and Flintshire.

A smaller, town centre base is currently being constructed in the former Oriel Wrecsam in the Library.

However Mr Lucas believes the move will have “major implications” for both the town centre site and for “justice in North East Wales” – with calls for clarity on custody provision at Wrexham Magistrates Court.

Mr Lucas said: “Within the year, North Wales Police expect to have moved from their current headquarters to the new station in Llay.

“This move will have major implications for both the Bodhyfryd site and for the provision of justice in North East Wales.

“Wrexham Magistrates’ Court has already been the subject of critical reports for its custody provision and the Government knows something needs to be done. Ministers also know that the police are set to have moved from their current site next to the court in a year’s time.

“Yet, despite a series of questions about their plans, we know more about the proposals by developers for the Bodhyfyryd site once it is no longer a police station than we do about the Government’s plans to update the Magistrates’ Court facilities that that closure will affect.

“The Government, despite repeated questions about what they intend to do, seem to be no further forward with just twelve months to go. We need clarity from them about what their plans are for Wrexham – and we need it quickly.”