Yes 54.98N - forgot to mention the bumps! 4-up in a Pa28 we were nowhere near takeoff speed by that point - made the two 11 year old first time passengers squeal a bit! Actually, it was the first time I'd had to do takeoff distance calculations "in anger" and it all worked as planned.
Squadgy, the situation you describe is exactly what happened, only the Cessna was doing a touch and go. He was just airbourne as I came over the fence. FISO issued 'land at your discression' while I was in the flare.
So what I learned about flying from my trip to Barton: Don't allow other aircraft to 'lead you' into what you consider an unsafe situation. If in doubt, break off and begin your approach again. FISO only has control on the ground upto the hold (knew that anyway really but forgot in the heat of the moment) so if you need to do somthing 'non-standard' in the circuit - go ahead but make sure you tell everyone what you're doing.
Another slightly related question: The Broussard, G-BKPU that landed on the M60 back in 1988, was he in a similar situation? I guess landing on the motorway was the absolute last resort if he wasn't within gliding distance? Can't find the AAIB report on this one.
And an unrelated one: The LAC website shows a photo of a Cessna parked outside the Trafford Centre (
here half way down the right-hand side of hte page). Does anyone know - was it flown it there, and if so, how was it all arranged and done?). Thanks.