Businessman Nick Mayell was determined to do the environmentally-friendly thing as he set off on a 250-mile journey.

The 45-year-old decided to go by train to a meeting in North Yorkshire to cut his carbon footprint.

But the £327 cost of the standard class return ticket from Bath to Northallerton has made him vow never to catch another train in his life.

Mr Mayell works for Bath firm National Plant and Equipment Register, which helps police and companies recover stolen goods, and needed to make the journey early last Tuesday.

The 45-year-old, who lives in Trowbridge and drives to and from Bath to work each day, bought the ticket at the city's station.

He said: "As a company we are trying to be greener.

"But I promise you, I will not get on a train again. It is unbelievable."

He went to Northallerton to help North Yorkshire Police identify stolen plant machinery.

He added: "I didn't think for a moment the journey would cost anywhere near that much.

"When the man at the counter told me, I had to ask him to repeat it because I thought it was a joke.

"I told him he must have got it wrong. I was told if I didn't go via London it would have been cheaper but then I wouldn't have made it on time. I had no choice – I just had to part with the money."

He added: "I have recently been to Holland and back for £69.

"This is why people don't use public transport."

His meeting had been arranged at the last minute and he added: "If I had had more time, I would have driven up.

"If the Government wants people to use public transport it needs to be convenient."

A standard off-peak ticket for the same journey would have cost £135.

A spokesman for rail operator First Great Western said: "It is an expensive fare but the reason for that is the customer wanted to travel at peak time when a lot of people would have been travelling into London at the same time.

"If the ticket had been bought in advance, prices start at £40 one-way. The way we do it is to encourage as many people as possible to travel by train.

"The advance fares are very good value. But at peak times, as with every other transport provider, prices are much higher."

The fare for the journey is currently set by East Coast Trains.

The Association of Train Operating Companies advises passengers to try to book their journeys as early as possible.

A spokesman said: "The fares are published and the train operators can charge these prices.

"The vast majority – around 80 per cent – of people will book their travel in advance.

"Tickets can be booked right up until 6pm the day before travel."

Mr Mayell's £327 ticket mean his journey cost £1.27 per mile.

Flying the 3,000 miles from Bristol to New York, meanwhile, costs approximately 10p per mile.

Independent rail consumer watchdog Passenger Focus advised passengers to shop around for the best-priced tickets.

Regional spokesman Mike Greedy said: "Passengers should be aware that travelling via London always attracts a higher premium resulting in this absolutely eye-watering price."