A new parking system will be introduced at Fairfield Leisure Centre after members were hit with hundreds of pounds worth of incorrectly issued fines.

The Messenger has reported on a series of recent problems at the popular facility in Lowfield Street, including one woman - June Mace, 78 - being left with four £100 penalty charge notices (PCNs).

Swimmers and gym-goers who pay a monthly fee to use the facilities in Lowfield Street were meant to be able to use the on-site car park free for three hours. They had to key their registration number into a machine in the centre’s reception, which matched it to their membership details so that they could receive the parking.

Following dozens of complaints — and a joint investigation between centre operator Places for People Leisure, car park operator MET Parking, and Dartford council — from July 18 visitors will no longer have to register their vehicle details to be entitled to the three hours of free parking. Genuine visitors staying on site for longer than three hours will still be able to register with reception as they do at present.

A spokesman for PPL said: “The intention of operating a parking management system is to reserve free parking spaces for leisure centre visitors and to deter abuse of this facility by others.

“Since the system began operating there have been over 60,000 car visits with nearly 99% successfully registered for three hours free parking on the self-service pod provided.

"We do not wish to have this as a barrier to our shared aim of increasing activity and wellbeing across the borough of Dartford.” Places for People Leisure.

“Whilst this does meet the desired aim of deterring non-centre users, we appreciate the negative effect of a number of parking charges being issued to genuine centre visitors for various reasons and do not wish to have this as a barrier to our shared aim of increasing activity and wellbeing across the borough of Dartford.”

Current appeals against outstanding PCNs are being reviewed on a case by case basis and motorists will be contacted as soon as possible.

The change of system comes after Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite (Con) called an urgent meeting the council, PPL and MET Parking earlier this week.

He said: “The original system had good intentions, but a number of genuine users ended getting tickets. That’s not common sense at all.

“I’m grateful that all the contractors involved took the same view and hopefully that’s an end to it.”

Fairfield has otherwise been a big success since it relaunched in February, almost two years after it was closed for an extensive £12m refurbishment.