Watchdog and the motorway

[Dom Tuk]

A few years ago i had written to BBC Points of view and the makers of Watchdog about a BBC programme (Watchdog) concerning cars and their breakdown. The programme showed the presenter getting out of a car on a motorway hard shoulder and speaking to the camera (ostensibly being filmed from a bridge). Obviously this breaches the highway code as the hard shoulder is only for breakdowns and emergencies. I asked the BBC if permission had been obtained for this filming and if they thought it was safe to do so. I received a terse reply at the time that the producers of the programme thought that it was in the public interest to film at the motorway as that is where the berakdowns ocurred. No mention was made of permits and safety of the public. Are the BBC allowed to do such things.

[Skids]

As you rightly say, the only people allowed to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway are those who's vehicles have brokendown.  The BBC, or anyone, can only film there, without a brokendown vehicle, if they have obtained prior permission.

[PunkDaddy]

I think it is worth letting go.

[liljoolz]

you are right they should have gotten permission etc, but c'mon its the bbc, they cant be the best all the time - not that i think they are the best!!

[Headtime]

I kind of agree with punkdaddy here, but it is unfortunate that you received a terse reply from the Beeb.

All producers at the BBC have to fill out 'Hazard Assesment Forms', when organizing any filming. They must detail what risks are present, and what measures they plan to take to avoid them.

They must also apply for any permits with councils with regard to obtaining permission for filming, and getting dispensation from the local authorities for parking etc.

Unless it was many, many years ago, I doubt whether the filmmakers in question would have been so cavalier about it, and all the necessary permissions were gained.