I am certainly not considering applying to have the road dug up at our own expense! As the prospect of solving this quickly recedes into the distance we are hoping we can sign up for ADSL with Orange then switch once/if it is resolved.
There is it seems a perfectly good telephone connection in our house, which is directly next to the road on the corner of the main village square. It is a stunningly beautiful location but there is an annoying amount of traffic as it is part of one of only two roads passing along the valley.