Except for the road to the south (4)
I believe the answer is:
save
'except for' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'road to the south' is the wordplay.
'road' becomes 'ave' (abbreviation for avenue).
'to' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'the south' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'ave' after 's' is 'SAVE'.
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for save that I've seen before include "Rescue from harm" , "This may see ball tipped over it" , "Husband" , "Rescue; preserve" , "Put by in vase" .)