COURT cases currently heard in Bridgwater will be transferred to Taunton from the start of next year.

Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court is to close and merge with Taunton as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

West Somerset Magistrates’ Court in Minehead has already closed and been incorporated with Taunton.

From January, the merged operation sitting in St John’s Road, Taunton, will be called the Taunton Deane, West Somerset and Sedgemoor Local Justice Area.

The development is part of a national programme announced by the Lord Chancellor to reduce the court estate in England and Wales which will see the closure of approximately 90 courthouses.

The chairman of the Sedgemoor Justices, Eileen Westwood, said: “There is understandable disappointment that Bridgwater will be losing its historic courthouse, the founding stone of which was laid 100 years ago in 1911, but we recognise there is a need to achieve savings and streamline arrangements for the delivery of summary justice in Somerset.”

There will be approximately 114 magistrates on the combined bench and magistrates will increasingly work and train together during the remainder of this year to ensure a smooth integration.

The chairman of the Taunton Deane and West Somerset Bench, Lesley Mackay, said: “We are working closely with each other to ensure a smooth transition to the new Bench from January.”

The new bench will meet together for the first time in October to elect a chairman and make other arrangements for the forthcoming year.