False parking charges made to users of The Avenue car park in Bracknell town centre are being investigated by the council.

Bracknell Forest Council has apologised and said it was looking into a “duplicate payment issue” relating to payments at the car park on Friday April 14, and Saturday, April 15.

Several users of the car park reported on social media that money had been taken from their bank accounts and then refunded again last week, Thursday, May 11. Others reported they’d been charged for using the Princess Square car park, also in the town centre, which is run by The Lexicon.

Rachel McClumpha said on the We Love Bracknell Facebook group: “I had a charge from the avenue car park on  May 10, refunded May 11. The worry is I have not been to Bracknell so how did they charge my bank if I wasn’t there with my card?”

Natasha Hughes said: “I was charged but then my bank refunded the same day without me needing to do anything. Keep any eye on your account.”

And Nichola Gofford Taylor said: “My statement shows they charged me on April 14, then refunded, then charged again. I have no idea if I even parked there that day.”

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Bracknell Forest Council assistant director for contract services Damian James told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the council was looking into the cause of the fault.

He suggested it was possible that the problem lay with the payment service provider that the car parks use to accept payments.

He said: “We are aware of a duplicate payment issue that occurred yesterday relating to payments made at The Avenue car park on April 14/15. We are investigating the cause of the fault and whether this is an issue with the payment service provider.

“We apologise to those who have been affected by this issue and ask anyone impacted to report this by emailing: parking@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. The team will acknowledge receipt of emails and request relevant details to investigate.

“This issue is not unique to Bracknell Forest Council and impacted users of Princess Square car park should contact The Lexicon via their website.”