A HOLE in the road is proving a thorn in the side for a North Yorkshire village, and some residents are demanding answers from County Hall.

East Cowton residents had reluctantly accepted that work on the drains was necessary if the risk of more flooding this autumn was to be reduced.

That meant the main street would be closed for a week, leaving some at one end of the village with a daily detour to reach the main road between Northallerton and Darlington.

Since the work began on Monday of last week, engineers have discovered the project is more complex than expected - and residents have been told it could be another fortnight before the problems are rectified.

"We all knew there would be some disruption and were prepared to put up with it in the short term, even though we were only given a couple of weeks' notice," said Brian Paxton, who lives at the Old Vicarage.

"However, we've now been told - and only because we made inquiries - that the road could be closed for another two weeks and the county council simply doesn't appear to be prepared to listen to our concerns."

Mr Paxton claims emergency services could be delayed if they were required in some parts of the village - which could mean lives could be at risk.

"I don't understand why both sides of the road need to be dug up at the same time; surely the workmen could do one side at a time so cars could get through, but the council just doesn't seem to be interested in what we are saying," he said.

Darren Garbutt runs The Beeswing Inn in the village and said his trade had been hit by the road closure.

"We were told signs would go up to let people know we were still open, but nothing has happened," he said.

"If the road stays closed for another two weeks then that could have some serious implications for us."

Despite several attempts to contact a representative of the highways department, no one from North Yorkshire County Council was available to comment at the time of going to press