Alternative route after start of digging? (6)
I believe the answer is:
detour
'alternative route after start of digging?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'alternative route after start of digging?' is the wordplay.
'alternative' indicates anagramming the letters.
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'start of' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'digging' is 'd'.
'route' with letters rearranged gives 'etour'.
'etour' put after 'd' is 'DETOUR'.
(Other definitions for detour that I've seen before include "Temporary roundabout way" , "Temporary route" , "Circuitous alternative to direct path" , "The scenic route?" , "Deviation from the usual route" .)