Caunton Engineering has recently completed the erection of over 450te of structural steelwork for the new Stop 24 Motorway Service Station at J11 on the M20 near Folkestone. Stop 24, a £9.2m project, is designed as a new concept in motorway service areas (MSA’s). The area will be concentrating on catering for the cross channel traveller. The aim is for Stop 24’s amenity building to provide an exciting retail and food offer for those looking to make their first or last stop in the UK. This will include a number of operators more commonly found in airports, the high street or in shopping centres. The high class development draws on the concept of the scheme providing a ‘departure lounge’ for cross-channel travellers to Continental Europe. As part of this concept, developer Henry Boot Developments is holding discussions with cross-channel operators with a view to providing real time information on arrivals and departures of the various services.

Caunton’s steelwork for the 50,000 square feet Reception Area comprises a Mixed Portal Frame design. The lower level portal comprises a traditional rafter and the second higher level is manufactured from feature tapered girder rafters and columns. This in turn forms the roof construction for the arrivals area.