A PARKING company has apologised after issuing drivers in Dunfermline with fixed penalty notices at Kingsgate Shopping Centre.

Customers at the centre's multi-storey car park, run by APCOA Parking, were given £60 charges due to a "technical issue" with its pay-by-phone app.

The firm posted an apology on Facebook stating users affected would be written to and incorrect charges would be cancelled.

A statement said: "APCOA invested in and introduced a new automatic number plate recognition system at our car park at Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Dunfermline, which included the introduction of new card payment facilities. The system was installed to improve our customer’s parking experience and enable us to provide a quicker, more convenient journey for customers with cashless payments services like APCOA Connect.

"Unfortunately, due to a technical issue with our pay-by-phone solution, APCOA Connect, a small number of customers have been issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN) incorrectly.

"This issue has been fully investigated and the technical issues have been addressed.

"All incorrectly issued PCNs will be cancelled and we will be writing to all customers who have been mistakenly affected by this issue."

Drivers had left damning reviews of APCOA on their Facebook page, warning others to avoid using their payment method.

One customer said: "I thought I’d use the app, it would be the quickest way since there was a massive queue to pay by cash. Anyway, a month on and I now receive a parking charge notice. I paid on the day and have full proof of my payment.

"There is no way I’m paying this. Just a little warning for anyone planning on parking here. If you have done in the last month or two, your parking fine may be on its way. I will not be using the Kingsgate Shopping Centre again because of this."

Neil Mackie, centre manager, said: "Whilst I am as concerned as all of our valued customers at this situation, unfortunately the Kingsgate Shopping Centre has absolutely no control over the operations of the multi-storey car park. The car park is operated on a tenanted basis by APCOA.

"We, unfortunately, have to bear the consequences on footfall though."