Well lots of points there!
Flower, drauk.
The inbound descent profile for westerlies at EGLL is as follows:
Descent from 4000 to 3000 at 13 miles from touchdown 27L/R
Descent from 3000 to 2500 at 11 miles from touchdown 27L/R
Yes, when City airport is closed we normally give Heathrow 3000' if we can. So a climb into the LTMA could get very close to the LHR traffic. As I keep saying, it is all about opinions and, if it goes wrong justification for your actions. If you could get in the RT and tell us what was happening we would then have to phone TC Heathrow and advise them. It wouldn't be instant traffic information and avoiding advice!
The route between Ascot racecourse and BUR NDB is not above 1000 feet SVFR. We will, subject traffic, give you a stepped climb as soon as we can. Especially over the built up areas of Slough/Bracknell.
We operate IFR airways traffic down to 3000' in the Thames RMA - which is DET-BIG-LCY-East to the 2.4/3.4 boundary of the LTMA- DET. We have no choice but to descend to this level. So we are normally just 600 feet above non talking 7000 squawks. Yes, the airspace really is that tight. We get constant TCAS queries from overseas aircraft.....and constant CAS infringers. Daily I see traffic at 2600/2700 feet when the base is 2500' even if only for a few sweeps due to a thermal/lack of ability whatever! The old "inside CAS v outside CAS = seperated" notion is tricky to get your head around!!
People have said here that ATCO's making up there own rules is not the way forward. I agree. However, I still feel I have the right to refuse to issue such a clearance.
Most approach controllers dont allow there IFR/VFR traffic to be at the same level - even though it could be done in Class D with traffic info. Most try to build in a bit of speration. You don't have to - but you do because you feel it is safer. You use your discretion.
Finally then, does anyone ACTUALLY believe that flying between VAUXHALL and LONDON BRIDGES, in a single NOT ABOVE 2000 feet is acceptable??? (MATS pt 2 declared max level - even thought he zone is up to 2500 feet!!)