One for the ATC folk maybe :
When arriving on 10 from the north, for years we would come over LAM, then round to downwind overhead Stratford and left base onto 10. Pretty much a reciprocal of a 28 departure.
In recent times a new route seems to apply, over LAM, down to Dartford, downwind over SE London and right base overhead Westminster.
Probably adding 5 or maybe 10 minutes to arrival time. Any reason for the change ? Wasn't one of the reasons behind the enlarged CTA was to allow the old route to continue ? Is it done this way to allow flights to be held at Alkin, even though this may not actually be required ?