Region's passport snub

Holidaymakers in the Black Country and Staffordshire face a long round trip before they even start on their break under new plans to overhaul the passport system.

The proposals, which will be rolled out across the country in April, will mean people applying for a passport for the first time will have to make a journey into Birmingham, which will be their nearest passport centre base, for an interview.

Those living in Staffordshire will be forced to travel either to Birmingham or Stoke on Trent.

The present system of sending in applications by post is being replaced to combat fraudulent applications.

By 2009 it will be extended to cover the millions who need to renew their passport or replace lost documents.

The Government has insisted the new system is a necessary inconvenience to stop criminals stealing people's identities.

Nearly three-quarters of the 1,700 confirmed fraudulent applications last year were among first-time applications by post.

Interviews will be held at 69 passport offices across the country with the intention that more than half of the population are within 15 minutes travel of one, and almost no-one will be more than an hour away.

Kenneth Turner, chairman of Dudley Council's committee for regeneration, culture and adult education and councillor for Hayley Green and Cradley South, described the overhaul as "ridiculous".

"I think the new system is ridiculous because how can having a five minute interview satisfy anyone as to the sincerity or truth of the application?" he said.

"The present system has been working perfectly adequately for many years and I would think the new system is even more susceptible to abuse."

Councillor Turner said he did not know of any plans to open a passport centre to handle applications in the Black Country, which he also disagreed with.

However, James Hall, head of the Identity and Passport Service, said the overhaul would be in everyone's benefit.

By Jon Wood