Cameron forced to defend taking helicopter for 140-mile journey instead of using the train Mr Cameron was first driven to RAF Northolt in his ministerial car, a journey of around 35 minutes. He was then flown by military helicopter to RAF Waddington - a flight of less than an hour - where he was met by another car to take the 13 minute journey to the factory. The Telegraph travelled to the same event in Lincoln by train - with one change at Newark North Gate - which took around two hours and cost £67. A first-class ticket would have cost around £120. A private helicopter chartering company quoted the Telegraph a price of £12,000 for a return helicopter journey from RAF Northolt to Lincoln. However, because the Prime Minister was ferried to the event by the RAF, the total price is likely to be considerably less. Mr Cameron had in the morning been pictured with his two-year-old daughter Florence on Whitehall. It is believed that he was taking her to nursery school. Following his question and answer session in Lincoln, Mr Cameron was quizzed by reporters about his travel arrangements. He admitted that there is an issue with the number of direct train services to Lincoln but insisted that he used "all manner of means" of transport. Asked by a reporter how he travelled to Lincoln the Prime Minister said: "Today, I've actually, I've been flying around, but I use trains, cars, boats, planes, helicopters...all manner of means." Mr Cameron added: "But I know here in Lincoln you want to see more direct services. There's the one but we need more but I know your local MP Karl McCartney is working very hard to get you some more. Natalie Bennett, the leader of the Green Party, said: "Clearly he should have taken a train for environmental reasons. Train services to Lincoln are not great - that's just a demonstration of how much we need to improve train services around the country. She added: "I don't believe the Prime Minister's time is so valuable that he couldn't have taken the train. It's also possible to work on a train. There is no justification for this. It's an immense sum of money. It demonstrates how out of touch the Tories - and particularly Mr Cameron - are with ordinary people. Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: "People stuck on trains and in traffic queues in the sweltering heat will be appalled to find out that David Cameron was spending thousands of pounds of their money on a helicopter to ferry him to a publicity stunt. Once again it just shows just how out of touch the Tories are. Asked whether Downing Street officials were concerned that the train may have been "too hot" for Mr Cameron, his spokesman said: "I didn't have a thermometer on board the train." How the PM's day unfolded Mr Cameron was photographed in the morning taking his daughter to nursery - complete with a toy scooter and push chair. Later, he took a military helicopter the short distance between RAF Northolt and RAF Waddington. (It is not known what kind of helicopter he used. File picture of PM with RAF Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan). Meanwhile, thousands of commuters travelled by train - on one of the hottest days of the year. Transcript of regular Westminster briefing during which the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman was questioned about the flight. Reporter: "Why did the Prime Minister use a military helicopter to travel to Lincoln instead of taking the train? Prime Minister's Official Spokesman: "The Prime Minister will use the most appropriate form for his travel." Reporter: "Why was that the most appropriate form of transport?" PMOS: "Because it was. I am not a travel agent. Reporter: "It's a two-hour journey from London to Lincoln by train. Why is it more appropriate to take a military helicopter. PMOS: "I'm grateful for the details of the London to Lincolm timetable. I've given you my answer. Reporter: "Does the Prime Minister think that, where possible, people should use public transport rather than short-haul flights?" PMOS: "I think everything of course the Government does should be as cost effective as possible." Reporter: "How can a military helicopter versus a train ticket possibly be more cost effective? PMOS: "The Prime Minister travels in a range of different means, of course, depending on the event or engagement that he's going to. We publish the costs of ministerial travel in the usual way. Reporter: "Was there any concern that the Prime Minister would have been too hot on a train?" PMOS: "I didn't have a thermometer on board the train."