Prime minister David Cameron refused to rule out using a toll to help pay for an upgrade of the A14 saying the idea was 'properly worth looking at'.

Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley urged his leader to 'seriously reconsider' the proposals to raise cash for the £1.5bn scheme by charging drivers to use the new stretch of road in the House of Commons today.

At the high-profile weekly prime minister's questions Mr Ruffley told MPs that Suffolk was 'driving economic growth' in the East of England, but people were 'increasingly fearful' of the A14 road toll plan.

Mr Cameron said that he, Chancellor George Osborne and Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin were listening to representations, but added: 'I think the important point is we want more roads to be built and we all know there are shortages in terms of the capital expenditure we can bring forward. The idea of having tolling for some new roads is an idea properly worth looking at.'

A consultation on the plans closed last month and local businesses and residents have raised concerns about the impact the toll could have on the region.

During a recent visit to Norwich the Chancellor gave campaigners against the plans hope when he said that the government would consider a re-think on the proposals.

Suffolk MPs have met the prime minister and the Chancellor to raise concerns already and they are set to meet the Transport secretary in the coming days.