slim,
You'll find the traffic statistics for the busiest airports in terms of movements
here.
You'll see Heathrow comes well down the list which doesn't bother me, means I don't have to work as hard as those at the airports higher up the list, but it may add amunition for those that like to use these sorts of figures to spice up their arguments. The figures at Heathrow aren't going to increase much over the next few years either unless a third runway is built, it's pretty much at capacity as is.
The simple facts are that the two systems, UK and FAA, are different. Some aspects of one are better than the other but there are pros and cons on both sides. Simply saying that everything in FAA land is better is an over simplification and for me it doesn't wash. I base that on the experience of having flown IFR and VFR over there and also having visited a number of their busiest ATC units.
If there's any reason why we don't have quite such a joined up ATC service as there is in the States then point the fingers at our political lords and masters. The day NATS was privatised and essentially sold into the control of the airlines and main airport operator did anyone ever really think that the lower end of the GA spectrum would be very high up the list of priorities?
The airlines, our owners (the government may hold the golden share but their seat is right at the back), demand that we provide the best possible service to them at the lowest cost, that doesn't leave much in the way of manpower or funds to look after the non revenue customers, unpalatable as that is to myself and many of my colleagues.