Stue.
Well done! Glad you enjoyed the visit. You're right. The better you've planned the trip the more we like it! (From an ATC point of view). For other visitors we have some web briefs which are well hidden on the CAA website. Here's a link.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/299/Flying...20CTR_2005.pdf
I'm afraid traffic levels and our local procedures mean VFR visitors are almost certain to be asked to follow the standard inbound routes which mean. 24R in use via Congleton 06L/06R via Stretton.
regarding SSD's point about Swinton entry. Squadgy is right that procedures mean that the go-around would be compromised by traffic on that route when 24R is in use and we would be required to operate our dual runways in 'dependent mode' whilst you're inbound. This would mean...Issue of non-standard go-around instructions to all affected inbounds...increase of final approach spacing to a minimum of 5 miles......No departures from a point that a landing aircraft is within 2nm from touchdown until it has landed. As you can see this bangs up the workload, reduces the movement rate, and thus can generate holding. We've also got a brief to cover operations through the Low level route which can be found on the Barton website or here..
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/299/Manche...Route_2005.pdf
By the way. I see that the CAA haven't yet incorporated our update on the briefs to include the frequency change to 135.0 but it should be imminent.
Spiney