The BBC has reportedly issued an apology after a complaint was lodged concerning a scene from Escape to the Country that allegedly breached the Highway Code. The last episode of Series 24, which aired in August and featured the Isle of Skye, is at the centre of the controversy.
Presenter Denise Nurse was seen helping Claire and Mark, a couple who had been living in a campervan with their children for four months, in their search for a new home on the island. However, a particular scene where the motorhome was parked in what seemed to be a passing place on a ‘narrow road’ drew criticism.
During the episode, Denise and the couple were shown taking a break by the roadside, seated in camping chairs as they discussed their move. Allegations surfaced that this could contravene the Highway Code’s advice against parking in passing places on rural roads.
As reported by the Scottish Sun, locals along the North Coast 500 (NC500) a picturesque route in Scotland’s far north expressed their dissatisfaction. The BBC has reportedly apologised for what has been termed its ‘initial dismissive response’ to a recent complaint by a resident.
A local has reportedly taken issue with the BBC over a segment of its programme, suggesting it was conducted improperly. According to the Mirror, the individual voiced their concerns on the private Facebook group NC500 The Land Weeps, noting that while it was “slightly heartening” to see the BBC admit their error, they believed the broadcaster “shouldn’t have done this in the first place”, reports Leicestershire Live.
They stressed the apology “does nothing” to rectify the “patronising brush off” given when first bringing up the issue. The Sun reported that the BBC emailed the complainant an apology for not sufficiently addressing their concerns.
According to a supposed email from the BBC, it recognises the complainant’s “concerns” about a part of the programme where an interview with a couple was “conducted at the side of a road”. It reads further: “You are of course correct that no matter how brief that filming was for, the Highway Code does advise that drivers should not park in passing places.”
The correspondence also admits that such issues are especially problematic in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
“While we don’t believe this portion of the show would prompt individuals to disregard traffic signs and to park where they shouldnt, we totally grasp your points and acknowledge our duty as broadcasters. The production crew will remember this for upcoming projects and are thankful to you for highlighting this,” it wraps up.
Escape to the Country airs on BBC One and iPlayer