Bus lanes to help stop traffic derailing court cases

Councils in cities plagued by congestion have been urged to grant prison vans access to bus lanes, helping defendants reach court on time and preventing avoidable disruptions that can leave victims waiting longer for justice.   

More than 1,000 court cases were delayed on the day they were meant to go ahead last year because defendants failed to reach court on time, wasting court capacity and causing devastation for victims.  

One route already operating between HMP Forest Bank and Manchester Crown Court has cut journey times by up to a third, showing how simple changes can keep cases moving and help deliver swifter justice for victims.   

Courts Minister, Sarah Sackman KC MP said:   

Victims should not be left waiting because a defendant is stuck in traffic. Giving prison vans access to priority bus lanes is a simple but practical idea that could save valuable time.   

Common-sense changes like this help court staff get on with the job and help victims see the swifter justice they deserve. 

Following other successful roll outs in Bristol, Salford and Nottingham, the Government has written to all local authorities in a push for wider adoption of the scheme nationwide.    

The call to action comes as the Government steps up plans to cut the record Crown Court backlog of 80,829 cases. 

Prison vans, known formally as the Prisoner Escort and Custody Service, facilitate around 350,000 prisoner movements to court every year, making it a critical part of keeping the justice system running.