WORCESTER drivers are concerned money has wrongly been taken out of their bank accounts in three figures sums  for parking charges.

Worcester City Council released a statement early today saying that a computer software issue has resulted in separate payments leaving customers' bank accounts all at once. 

Emma Pierson said she has six  transactions taken out of her bank account for parking once.

She is concerned for those who may not be able to afford to wait for the money to be returned.

She said: "I have had six transactions taken at £5 each from Newport Street car park.

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"There are five which are therefore duplicate transactions.

"I bank with Barclays and I've had to raise them as fraudulent transactions with them which was a nightmare in itself as they are having issues with their phone lines.

"I appreciate mistakes can happen and it's not been done intentionally, however my concern is to how quickly the money will be repaid to me.

"I can afford to wait but I'm sure many cannot."

Andy Gynn, who is a chef at the Oil Basin pub, is "annoyed" as he has had over £200 taken from his bank account by Worcester City Council in the last 48 hours for parking he hasn't done.

Mr Gynn said: "I park at Newport Street car park or Copenhagen Street car park around three times per week since June. 

"Yesterday, I had three payments taken out for St Martin's Gate car park. 

"I got in touch with my bank because I thought that someone had used my card, but, this morning I had 20 parking transactions taken out through another bank card - all of them at the same time. 

"It has now added up to 48 transactions and a total of £234."

Mr Gynn has a card under a third bank that he has now emptied out of fear that the same thing will happen again.

READ MORE: Technical error at city parking machines sees drivers charged more than once

"It has now added up to 48 transactions and a total of £234."

Mr Gynn has a card under a third bank that he has now emptied out of fear that the same thing will happen again.

 

Worcester News: Worcester City Council's email responseWorcester City Council's email response (Image: Worcester City Council's email response)

He added: "My bills come out in a few days, so what am I supposed to do?

"When you call the council, you can only leave a voicemail and when you email, you get a generic email back.

 

READ MORE: Copenhagen Street car park closes for "VIP" visitors

"I called and emailed at 9am and I still haven't heard anything.

"I'm worried that more will be taken."