As previously stated, the original stop-off sounds like a last minute change of plan and an attempt to re-establish separation against traffic leaving one of the LL stacks. We'd all LOVE to get all those departures up and away (STN FL200) but the airspace around BPK is VERY busy. Perhaps you guys don't notice all the LC ins and outs (ever increasing!), the GW/WU departures via CLN & DET, and all those SS/GW inbounds to LOREL from the south. The climb after 6000ft is usually to FL110 and underneath these SS/GW inbounds descending to FL120 and needing further descent after BPK, and then the ATCO waiting for the cross before continuing climb to FL150. A HIGH rate of climb upto FL110 therefore can have TCAS implications!
As regards raising the Transition Level to 18000ft, this WAS seriously looked at the early stages of Terminal Control development, BUT, to use this only in the UK would necessitate some sort of boundary area with the adjacent FIR's who, at the time, didn't have any need for a higher TL. We're just about managing to convince our transatlantic cousins (with some interesting and exciting exceptions!) that we DON'T use altitudes below 18000ft, so any change to their system might confuse them even more!
Visits to watch this interesting area are readily available for pilots NOT of a nervous disposition!
