The long-awaited re-opening of a city street closed since Christmas because of subsidence still looks some way off, with a resolution yet to be reached which would allow traffic to use it again.

Finkelgate, which connects Queens Road with Ber Street, has been shut since Christmas Eve, when massive cracks appeared in the terraced home nearest to the gates with Notre Dame High School.

Four homes were evacuated and the following day signs of subsidence were spotted in the road, with a large depression outside the worst affected house.

The road was closed to traffic, which has remained the case ever since, while it is understood some people who had to leave their homes have still not been allowed back.

The Evening News reported in June how nearby businesses were angry that the closure of Finkelgate had hit their trade, with large traffic queues choking the nearby streets in rush hour as traffic tried to negotiate the junction with Ber Street and Queens Road.

Norwich City Council revealed then that the reason the road was still shut was because they were unable to start the work which would mean the road could re-open until insurers decided whether the affected homes should be rebuilt or demolished.

Officers at City Hall said, while the council is responsible for the road, the homes were private and a decision on their future was key to starting work on the street itself.

The council said then that they were in contact with the insurance company and 'pressing hard for a decision'.

Yesterday, when the Evening News asked what progress had been made, a spokeswoman said a resolution had yet to be reached and that talks between the city council and the insurers were continuing. Annemarie Stirling, a partner at the Tea Lounge in Ber Street, said: 'We would very much prefer Finkelgate to be re-opened. You don't know how many passing customers you lose, but I do know that some of the regulars have commented that they have bypassed us because of it. 'I don't understand why it is taking so long. It seems to have been months since any work was done up there and I notice that it now looks as if a tree is growing out of the side of one of the houses.'

• What do you think of Finkelgate still being closed? Tell us your views by writing to Evening News Letters, Prospect Hous, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or by emailing eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk