MP meets with minister to make the case for justice to be brought back to the South Lakes

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on the Government to restore access to justice for local residents.

At a meeting with justice minister Chris Philp, Tim raised various issues caused by the closure of Kendal court in 2017. Solicitors and victims of crime now have to travel to Barrow Magistrates Court - a journey of well over an hour by public transport.

Although Kendal court has been sold off by the Ministry of Justice, there is still a courtroom attached to Windermere's police station. Tim has suggested that this could be renovated, and some cases could be heard there rather than in Barrow.

The justice minister Chris Philp said using Windermere's courtroom was a possibility but that the police would need to pay for the refurbishment to bring it back into use.

Speaking after the meeting, Tim said: "I'm very grateful to the minister for meeting me. Access to justice is so important for local people - and the Government just ignored the huge travel times when they closed Kendal court.

"However, using Windermere's mothballed courtroom for some case would still meet the Government's savings targets and provide easier access to justice for local people."