I have never had any problems with either Southampton or Solent APP.
I will only call them if I want a VFR transit - either through the Zone or to a strip within the Zone - and I have always found them friendly and helpful. I have been asked to
Stand By on a few occasions but that has been when they were obviously busy and all except once (during a controller shift-change) I have been called back.
As mentioned previously, I don't use Solent APP for local flights outside the two CTRs because I believe Bournemouth APP/RAD is more appropriate, as it has the LARS facility. In my experience, they too are generally more than helpful.
JD
