On Thames and SVFR we have an odd situation where we have a Class A zone (LCTR) and the Class D zone of London City.
In my opinion, making the LCTR Class D would be much easier for us.
It seems odd that we create VFR Free lanes around the South west corner for Royal Ascot (Which don't even talk to 119.9) and then the day after reverts back to only one aircraft routeing in the west side of the zone (BUR-ASCOT) at any one time.
Make the whole lot Class D and be done with it. Would also make it easier for all the police/medevac helis that work in the zone.
As for as not getting transits - well - that is just a simple fact of life. I always give a transit when I can, but at the end of the day our manuals dictate that the priority is our IFR traffic. Sadly you just have to fit in. I was too busy to even get back to the few wanting to cross LCY the other day - just depends on your timings. Then yesterday I had 4 VFR transits and 2 helicopters in the zone at the same time as in inbound. We have to pass traff info of course to everyone, which is time consuming. Also, I have seen an IFR inbound quite legitimately request avoiding action and broken off the approach against a VFR transit. This caused the controller no end of hassle and he had to feed him back in the sequence and he went from No 1 to No 4! He then whinged and I have to admit I thought "Why bother trying to get a VFR transit across when you are busy.
Without stirring up a hornets nest, they are the ones who (largely) pay for that airports ATC. Contributions would be greatly received...!
Ian is probably correct, some units, and some staff within, give "extra" if you like and some offer little or no help. However, you can't be too surprised that Lyneham with it's intensity of traffic is easier to cross than Southampton or Manchester, surely?
I agree with VA - Class E on top of the D stuff would never under the TMA. It's just too busy.