Three Kent courts put on a hitlist for closure will be shut for good, it's been revealed.

Dartford and Dover magistrates' courts and Tunbridge Wells County Court and Family Court are to be axed in a sweeping restructuring by the government.

The three courts were included in a list of 91 court and tribunal buildings under threat from closure pending the outcome of a 12-week consultation, which ended in October.

Just two weeks ago, a spokeswoman from the HM courts and tribunals said responses to the consultation were still being considered.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said today he was disappointed by the government’s announcement.

He said: “This news comes as a disappointment as it will mean longer journeys for those attending court.

“Anybody who has been in that building will know it is very dilapidated and would need a lot of investment to bring it up to modern standards. I suspect therefore that the Ministry of Justice felt that cost was a big factor in this decision.

“Whilst I would have preferred they kept the court open, I recognise the government has to protect the taxpayer.”

The recommendation was made initially by the Ministry of Justice as part of plans to shut poorly used and expensive-to-run courts across England and Wales.

In Dartford, the proposal was to transfer all cases 17 miles away to Medway Magistrates’ Court.

The Chatham courthouse has six trial rooms compared to Dartford’s three and is equipped to hold virtual cases via video link. The bigger court already deals with cases from our area.

Figures from HM Courts & Tribunal Service showed Dartford Magistrates’ Court was used at 30% capacity last year at a cost of £213,000.

Gravesend’s magistrates’ court closed 16 years ago.

Previously, Jonathan Smithers, from The Law Society, the independent professional body for solicitors, raised concerns about the impact of the closure on court users and said it would hit disabled people and those on low incomes the hardest.

It is claimed 85% would have to travel for more than an hour to reach another court due to poor public transport in Kent.

He added: “Combined with the further planned increases in court fees and reductions in eligibility for legal aid, this closure will serve to deepen the inequalities in the justice system between those who can and cannot afford to pay.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, everyone in England and Wales must be able to access legal advice and the justice system.”