Programme director Richard Lyttle said the seven-week demolition of the former Leamington magistrates court building and Jephson House tax offices in Hamilton Terrace had gone smoothly.

He added: "The position at the moment is that they are doing the groundwork for the foundations, cutting into the slabs. Soon they will erect the drilling equipment.

"It's all going well and we are optimistic there shouldn't be anything to hold us up."

Work on the 16,500 sq metre development, which will house four crown courts, three magistrates' courts and two civil courts, as well as police, probation, youth offending and victim support services, is expected to last until 2010.

Wolvey-based company Galliford Try won the £26.3million building contract earlier in the year.

The project - first mooted in 2001 and expected to cost £43.8million in total - has not been without its difficulties and delays.

But as the diggers rumbled on, the director of the area's courts, Kelvin Launchbury, stressed that its completion would speed defendants through the justice system.

He said: "One of the key things police, courts and the CPS have worked on is ending the disproportionate state of affairs where a shoplifting trial drags on, being adjourned time and time again.

"Although the agencies do work closely together, there is nothing better than being able to talk directly to the right person at the right time. It's no good standing up in court and saying 'I don't have that report'."

He added: "We also need modern facilities. Currently we do not have what we need for victims and witnesses. For example, it has been very difficult to provide segregated waiting areas and, hand on heart, I do not think we have provided for jurors as we should either.

"The justice centre will mean bringing a lot of staff together and allow us all to work smarter.

"We are honour-bound to improve efficiency and I want people to look at the centre and say 'this is value for money'."

Mr Launchbury claimed parking demand had been considered in the planning process - and defended the design of the building, following criticism from the Leamington Society.

He said: "I don't think it will be out of keeping with other buildings nearby.

"We must have something which meets increasing expectations, which says 'this is where you come for justice in south Warwickshire'."