A new footpath linking two roads to provide easier access to a Norfolk town's station could soon become a reality.

Diss Town Council has applied to South Norfolk Council for permission to create the footpath linking Station Road and Nelson Road to enable residents of Sawmills Road and Nelson Road to get to the station.

Currently, residents have to climb through a gap in a fence and then walk across a muddy field between Nelson Road and Station Road to reach the station, or take the longer route round by walking down to Victoria Road and then up Station Road.

The footpath plan is a joint initiative between the town council, Norfolk County Council, Network Rail and Greater Anglia.

County councillor Jenny Chamberlin, who represents Diss and Roydon, said the long term ambition was to build a road linking Station Road with Nelson Road, which could help reduce traffic congestion on Victoria Road.

She added traffic coming into the town from the A140 direction would no longer have to turn right outside Jewson Builders Merchants in Victoria Road, causing problems with vehicles coming from Jewson, but could instead reach the station via Sawmills Road and Nelson Road.

She said: 'We have now acquired the land and we are planning to build the footpath. It is one of those jobs that even if it costs £100,000, it is going to be useful.'

She did not know how much the project was likely to cost, but said all the partners involved would be contributing towards the cost of the path, which will be 2.4m wide.

The possibility of creating the road link was discussed at a Diss Town Council meeting in March concerning the town's neighbourhood plan.

The meeting also discussed a number of other possible initiatives to improve the town, including creating a bypass to link Bressingham with Dickleburgh.