The council says there is not a "simple solution" to re-open a crumbling County Durham road which has been closed for almost three years.
Motorists have been unable to use the C31 Crakehill Bank in Hamsterley since January 2023 after it was closed due to parts of the road and ground breaking off and falling into the River Wear.
The road, which stems off from the A68, is one of only three roads that give access to Hamsterley and connects the village with Witton-le-Wear.
Hamsterley resident Andrea Bainbridge says the closure has has created a "genuine disruption" to village life as commuters are forced to take alternative routes.
She told The Northern Echo: "The ongoing closure of the C31 has had a significant and widely felt impact on the residents of Hamsterley.
"This route is not only a vital link for commuting, schooling, and accessing essential services, but also an important lifeline for local businesses and community activities.
"With the diversion adding considerable time and mileage to daily journeys, many people are experiencing genuine disruption."
She added: "We appreciate that the closure is necessary for safety works, but the limited communication and the prolonged nature of the shutdown have led to growing frustration.
"Residents are now seeking clearer, more regular updates, a realistic and reliable completion date, and reassurance that every effort is being made to accelerate the work wherever possible."
Drone footage taken of the road in early December and shared on social media shows that a large chunk of the road, spanning across a full lane, has broken off and fallen down the bank.
A number of cones previously used to border the collapse have also fallen with the road.
According to Durham County Council's site, a number of investigations into the ground as well as feasibility studies have been carried out since the closure.
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But both planning permission and construction have been paused - as the authority says it is "consider(ing) options".
Mark Readman, Durham County Council’s head of highway services, said: "We understand residents’ frustration surrounding the closure of the C31 road into Hamsterley at Crakehill Bank.
"The road was closed in the interests of public safety after part of the surface slipped into the River Wear.
"Unfortunately, the subsidence issues at this location are incredibly complex and there isn’t a simple solution. We are continuing to consider options and will provide an update in due course."
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