Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the maximum distance a defendant, solicitor or member of administrative staff might need to travel within the West Mercia Police area to attend remand cases following the relocation of all such cases to Kidderminster Magistrates Court.

The travel times and average mileage were thoroughly researched and taken into account when considering the centralisation of the remand courts in Kidderminster. The detail is provided in the consultation document (page 9) and the response document.

The distance and journey time of a prisoner travelling to attend the remand court from a police station in West Mercia is included in the consultation document. Travel from each of the police stations show a maximum journey time of 58.8 minutes each way (using a route planner).

In addition to the above, prisoners can be transported from anywhere in England or Wales if arrested on a warrant.

HMCTS is unable to provide a maximum travel time for solicitors since it will depend upon where they reside or are based.

There are 6 HMCTS ushers travelling to Kidderminster once or twice per week by train which is a 30-minute train journey.