songbird29
Just historic I think. L9 used to be Green 1 which was one of the very first airways. There were several turns, now reduced to one of any significance, which is at BCN vor. Moving airways and the associated re-alignment of regulated airspace is a major head-ache in UK......every glider club, the military, church fete, dog owner, balloon group, bird watcher...in fact hundreds of protesters have to have their say. It is a little simpler in the Upper air, but by no means easy.
Lon More
You touch on a quaint UK tradition......UK loves to have influence and dictate the running of a Europe-wide integrated system.....however the credibilty takes a bit of a knock by not recognising the benefits both operationally and economically of joining Eurocontrol proper.
Perhaps a case of "it's OK for Jonny foreigner but we don't want to join your club thank you......we just want to tell you all what to do".