Iconic US court entrance closes

Visitors to the US Supreme Court will no longer be able to enter the building by climbing its famous marble steps.

The court cited security concerns as the reason entry to the 75-year-old building would be through new doors to the side of the wide central steps.

Two justices objected to the change, calling it unfortunate and unjustified.

Stephen Breyer described the steps and main entrance as "not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself".

Justice Breyer, along with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pointed out that no other high court in the world, not even Israel's, had closed its front entrance because of security concerns.

The court said the decision to move the entrance had been made following the recommendations of two independent security studies, in 2001 and 2009, and was part of a $122m (£80m) renovation.

"The (new) entrance provides a secure, reinforced area to screen for weapons, explosives and chemical and biological hazards," the court statement said.

The main doors - beneath the words "Equal Justice Under Law" - and expansive steps built by architect Cass Gilbert can still be used by visitors to leave the building.

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