SHIMPAC®: Avoiding Fines with Speed You Can Bank On – and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Fines for roadworks that overrun apply to contractors

Utility companies and contractors across the UK now face a dramatically harsher enforcement environment when it comes to street works. Under recently updated government regulations, fines of up to £10,000 per day for overrunning scheduled works are no longer limited to weekdays – they now apply on weekends and bank holidays, too.

What’s more, fixed penalties for permit violations have been doubled to £1,000 for full charges, or £600 when discounted.

These reforms reflect the urgency with which the government is moving—ensuring roadworks are completed precisely and on time is now a serious business.

SHIMPAC® Transforms Installation Speed Into Real-World Savings

In this environment, speed isn’t just an advantage – it’s a necessity.

SHIMPAC® rises to the challenge with a system that delivers incredible efficiency, cutting installation time significantly compared to traditional methods.

Urgent repairs to local roads are required – and SHIMPAC® is ready to deliver

The SHIMPAC® system provides installation times of just 10–15 minutes per ironwork seating installation, with no mortar curing delay –  unlike the multiple days required by mortar-based systems. In fact, Roads can be safely reopened within 40 minutes of installation, even after a full-day closure.

As SHIMPAC®’s Technical Lead Barry Andrews puts it, this is more than just quick installation – it’s “probably the fastest, most cost-effective engineering solution.”

The SHIMPAC® system brings durable, mm precision to ironwork seating and levelling with safe, one-person installation

By slashing how long works occupy the road, SHIMPAC® helps contractors:

• Avoid hefty daily fines
• Minimise traffic disruption
• Reduce public frustration

In effect, SHIMPAC® turns time saved into money saved – keeping projects compliant, efficient, and within budget.

20% of UK potholes are due to failed ironwork seating – the problem SHIMPAC® solves

Beyond Speed: Precision, Durability & Compliance

Speed, however, is only one part of the story. SHIMPAC® products also deliver:

• Millimetre-level precision with ROADSHIMS® to ensure perfect alignment and prevent potholes caused by water ingress
• Long-term durability, built to withstand rising HGV weight limits and avoid repeat interventions
• Full regulatory compliance—HAPAS/PAS assurance, SROH alignment, and National Highways approval—ensuring every installation meets the highest standards
• Removal of common Health & Safety risks from the installation process

Smart Solutions in a High-Stakes Regulatory Era

With the government doubling down on enforcement – including widening fines and tightening schemes – SHIMPAC® provides the technology and efficiency that projects now require.

UK roadworks are under new intense scrutiny. With SHIMPAC®, contractors and authorities have a clear path forward: faster, smarter, safer, and penalty-free.