WEYMOUTH'S Brown Route relief road could be built faster and cheaper under a new funding scheme.

Savings could be as much as £2.3 million - eight per cent of the estimated £29 million cost. The road is due to be completed by 2008, but it could be finished sooner if the Government gives the go ahead for the new approach.

The funding method - known as a Strategic Partnership Agreement - involves public and private sectors working together. Dorset County Council and South Dorset MP Jim Knight think it could be a cost-effective alternative to the Private Finance Initiative.

Under PFI, a private company would build the road and gradually receive money back through local authority credits granted by the Government.

The new scheme means the county council is likely to get the money up front and then work alongside private firms. Council officers say this allows them to get projects off the ground more quickly than PFI. Examples from other parts of the country show savings of around eight per cent.

David Ayre, head of business support in environmental services at the council, said: "This scheme means we can engage everyone involved in the project early on - experience shows this can generate savings.

"The council has already used this type of scheme to build a school in Christchurch. The project was successful and we are keen to build on that."

Mr Knight said: "I have been chasing progress on the Brown Route since being elected in June and it is clear that PFI may not be the best way of funding the road.

"The new alternative of Strategic Partnership Agreements may resolve long term costs associated with some PFI schemes. I don't want Dorset's council taxpayers to be saddled with long term costs and am working to minimise them."

Mr Knight raised the issue of Brown Route funding with transport minister Alan Whitehead.

He added: "The minister was clearly receptive to the idea that Dorset could pilot such a scheme for the Brown Route.

"It is important to keep reminding ministers of the importance of funding an integrated transport strategy for Weymouth. The relief road is a crucial part of that strategy and is essential to the area's economic future."