In the course of my operational duties as a sector controller I liaise with a significant number of approach radar units at a range of airports, most of which tell me that although they can see the traffic they will not provide a service outside 40 miles.
In seeking to afford the radar controllers at Newquay some protection and workload alleviation, could I ask why on earth would they want to work outside 40 miles and exactly what service with what restrictions might apply. I see that area every day on my screen, and there is no way I would want to.
The R/T point stems from the Exeter experience. Great people down there, and always willing to help the sector guys. Traffic in/out of EGHH/HI routeing via DAWLY/BHD used to be handed over to Exeter following co-ordination. The plan worked well until it was pointed out that the DOC for the Exeter frequencies was/is 40miles/10,000ft for one freq. and 35 miles/10,000ft for the other.....and that traffic was not to be transfered outside those parameters. This is despite Exeter having one of the best Radars in the area.