BBC issues 'apology' as Escape to the Country sparks complaints from viewers

The BBC has reportedly issued an apology following a complaint about a scene from Escape to the Country that was alleged to have violated the Highway Code

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 controversy arose from the last episode of Series 24, which aired in August and featured the Isle of Skye.

In the episode, presenter Denise Nurse was 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. A particular scene that showed the motorhome parked in what seemed to be a passing place on a 'narrow road' drew criticism.

Denise and the couple were filmed taking a break at the side of the road, seated in camping chairs while discussing their move. It's been suggested that this could contravene the Highway Code, which advises against parking in passing places on rural roads.

Reportedly, locals along the North Coast 500 (NC500), a picturesque route in Scotland's far north, were not pleased with the segment. Following what has been referred to as its 'initial dismissive response' to a complaint by a resident, the BBC is said to have offered an apology, according to the Scottish Sun.

A local has reportedly expressed disapproval of the BBC for a part of its programme they deemed inappropriate. Sharing their thoughts in the private Facebook group NC500 The Land Weeps, the resident mentioned it was "slightly heartening" to see the BBC admit their error but also stated that the broadcaster "shouldn't have done this in the first place", as reported by the Mirror, reports Leicestershire Live.

The resident claimed that the apology "does nothing" to address the "patronising brush off" they received when they first raised the complaint. The Sun reported that the BBC sent an email to the resident apologising for not "properly addressing" their complaint.

An alleged email from the BBC stated it understood the resident's "concerns" about a segment of the show where an interview with a couple was "conducted at the side of a road". The email went on to say: "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 email also recognised that such issues are "even more of an issue" in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. While we don't believe this segment of the programme would encourage people to ignore road signs and to park in places that they shouldn't, we fully appreciate your concerns and we understand our responsibilities as a TV programme. The production team will bear this in mind for future filming and are grateful to you for taking the time to raise this with us," the email concluded.

BBC has been contacted for a comment.

Escape to the Country continues on BBC One and iPlayer