I will jump in here and offer some support for Soton, as I have always found them fair, and accomodating when it seems like they could be. If I'm battling trying to find a gap in the R/T to place a call, I can guess they're not going to be interested in a 'zone transit 2000' or above': consequently, when I was in the area on a route planned to avoid their area last weekend, and they seemed quiet, and I asked for an ILS - no problem they said, just make sure you call me to arrange payment.

Maybe 'cos I was born there thay understand me ;) but I have always found them (along with Gatwick, Farnborough, Exeter, Scottish... (sorry if I didn't mention your unit - you haven't had the pleasure of a lot of my company very often ;) ) particularly helpful) and as B-L points out, these things do have a cost, even if it's not immediately apparrent.

IFR

Transitted the Snot International zone the other day on the way home from Dinard, routing MP-SAM-CPT. Having crossed the Channel at FL50 we were cleared through VFR at the same level as we didn't need to descend until Newbury. No hassle. However it was mid day, mid week, and apart from a bit of VFR traffic and a couple of mil helos it was quiet.
We gave BHX a wide berth though!
Rattus