New Wakefield coroners' court opens to serve West Yorkshire

Councillor Les Shaw, left, and senior coroner Kevin McLoughlin said the site was an investment for Leeds and Wakefield

A new coroners' court for West Yorkshire has opened in Wakefield.

The £2.7m building will be used to hear inquests concerning deaths that occurred in Wakefield and Leeds.

The previous facility, at 71 Northgate, had been in use since 1984 and more than 1,000 inquests were held there in the past year.

Coroner Kevin McLoughlin said the new site at Merchant Gate was "an investment" for people who live in West Yorkshire.

"These new, and modern, facilities, combined with the use of technology will benefit people and help the court process to run more smoothly," said Mr McLoughlin, senior coroner for West Yorkshire (East).

The site was designed to be fully accessible, Wakefield Council said.

'Improved experience'

Councillor Les Shaw, cabinet member for resources and property, said: "When designing the new building our priority was to improve the experience for Wakefield and Leeds residents, who come into contact with the service during what is often a very difficult time for them.

"This new building has been designed so that people with disabilities and others will have full access to all the facilities."

The cost of the court was shared between Leeds and Wakefield on a population basis, with 70% of the funding coming from Leeds and 30% from Wakefield, the council added.