Two things, neither of which I can make any use of:
1. the 'obvious' goal occurs twice, but in each case bent into an L shape;
2. SEARCHAREA can be traced in the grid, but with a bend where the goal would be.
The SEARCHAREA can be traced in two ways, both starting at the same point and then branching. One gives the goal in an L-shape; the other gives it with a superfluous letter in the middle.
Is any of that intentional or relevant? Is it time to give up?
I share the disappointment of the last few solvers. Had the idea that perhaps 7 down was meant to be a guide - some other 4-letter word - but no joy there. So unless there's a breakthrough soon, this looks like a no-send, a sort of futile protest at an equally futile gimmick.
I just can't believe that the editors would let such a gimmick be used. Strictly speaking, if we do highlight the instance in the preamble, the four letters are *not consecutive*.
The solution must lie in the grid - why else would 'SEARCHAREA' appear in it? How about drawing a straight (but diagonal) line through the four letters as they appear in the left-turning three cells?
I too believe that the answer MUST lie in the grid, BUT I had also spotted the presumed target word in the preamble - though I immediately rejected it as beyond the bounds of fairness. If that is the 'correct' answer then I am frankly done with the Listener. A tough puzzle is one thing but their seems to be a snobbish elite that wish to ensure that some puzzles are solved only by an elite few (club members?). I'm not a conspiracy theorist by any means but this one stinks to high heaven.