Concerns have been raised over a report into work on a Lake District road, closed since 2021.
Work to repair Rough Crag, above the U7003 at Thirlmere, was carried out by landowner United Utilities.
Specialist contractors began work on February 26. The work was due to take 12 weeks.
During the first week of this month, it said the repairs were complete and submitted its report to Cumberland Council for review.
However, the authority said there were a small number of concerns within the report and it had been returned to United Utilities.
The road was closed due to safety concerns after Rough Crag bore the brunt of Storm Arwen in November 2021.
While the road closure has been controversial, both United Utilities and the local authority maintained it was necessary due to the condition of Rough Crag.
Fallen trees, loose rocks and material was suspended on the crag and engineering specialists identified an ongoing and unacceptably high risk of rock and tree falls onto the road that could cause significant injury.
It was hoped Cumberland Council would be able to make a decision about the road’s future as early as this week, after its experts had scrutinised the report.
However, an authority spokesman said: “At this moment in time, the report from United Utilities’ geotechnical consultant has been thoroughly reviewed by Cumberland Council’s officers and a small number of concerns have been returned to United Utilities.
“We are currently waiting for the final comprehensive submission from United Utilities, which will include all aspects of the road closure, the work undertaken, and future inspection commitments.
“This complete submission is necessary for Cumberland Council officers to determine when the road can be re-opened safely for the local community and visitors to the area.”
When it received the report from United Utilities, it said it wanted to make sure that the crag has been returned to at least a comparable condition than that before Storm Arwen.
It added: “Although the risk of anything happening may be low, on the grounds of public safety which is our main priority and to comply with our statutory duty, it is considered that the road must remain closed until assurances are received and work has been reviewed.
“Our officers are working as fast and as diligently as possible to get the road open again, and we’ll provide further public communications once we feel it is safe to do so.”
United Utilities said last night that it had returned the report to Cumberland Council.
