According to Google Earth, a straight line distance from the crane in question to Battersea Heliport is about 2.1nm. - and out of sight from the control tower I expect, due to buildings in the way.
757 hopeful, 1/4 of a mile? Please check your navigation!
Battersea heliport is slightly more than 2nm from Vauxhall Bridge, the reporting point. Hence the requirement for the frequency change at that point; it's on the edge of the ATZ.
Due to topography, the Battersea controller would not have line of sight with an aircraft at Vauxhall.
757Hopeful
Do not forget an airport can only give weather conditions at their airport. They have no clue other than other aircraft reports what conditions are away from the airport.
Especially around a water situation with concrete or brick buildings alongside side the river and varying temperature changes conditions can change dramatically over the space of a few hundred yards ie on one side of the river you could have perfect VFR on the other side standing fog or low cloud.
Pace
My apologies chaps. Seems a lot closer when I'm driving
