bayete, try to read it again, would you?
For the purpose of these procedures ATC will expect and IFR flight following the ATS route structure to adopt the IMC procedure as detailed below. If there is an overriding safety reason, the pilot may adopt the VMC procedure.
Does it ring the bell? As described in the procedure it may very well happen after being cleared for a visual. Highly unusual constellation indeed nevertheless possible. Methinks, the reason is traffic separation and buying some time to sort out incoming traffic. I'd really love to see A 346 in Heathrow simply making 180 at 1500 ft and coming back to land. Not only will one have to line up at the end of the queue, god knows how many miles into the opposite direction but create probably very uncomfortable situation for Mr. Director. Even VMC I'd adopt comm failure procedure as well as trying to call via iphone or try to catch some wifi network.
potteroomore, for the sake of correctness despite being visual ATC is still responsible for traffic separation unless you've reported preceding in sight and cleared to maintain visual separation with it.
Cheers
