May I add another reason for the lack of shortcuts
In Terminal Control the Cowly / Welin sector is now working many more aircraft than previously anticipated due to the level capping procedures inposed from NERC.
The procedures result in many aircraft being controlled by Cowly Welin sector that would normally be at higher levels and worked by NERC sectors.
With TMA sectors bailing out NERC and having to work such traffic due to the lack of staff at NERC we do not have time or capacity to help out anymore with shortcuts.
In defence of NERC - and I must stress that this is posting is in no way a criticism of any controllers but highlights a system problem that is getting worse - Although there are official level capping procedures in place which cause enough problems on their own!, many airlines attempt to byepass such restrictions through Daventry's airspace by re-filing their plan at a lower level. It must be remembered that the restrictions are in place to protect the ATC sectors concerned and as TMA sectors are already very very busy, re-filed traffic only passes the problem from one controller to another and as such another sector goes under
See Ya