The current conflict is resulting in rising costs for raw materials and fuel, which is creating uncertainty, with substantial price increases affecting bitumen, polymers, aggregates, fuel and related inputs.
A quote from a benchmark price tracking website on the 16th March 2026 stated; “Over the past month, Bitumen’s price has risen 33.23% and is up 26.85% compared to the same time last year.”
RSTA members are already receiving notifications of price increases from bitumen suppliers linked to oil prices, as well as notifications from quarrying organisations of increased prices linked to increased energy and processing costs.
In addition, hauliers and plant hire companies are indicating rising fuel-related costs.
As a result, it may not be possible to honour original agreed contract prices, and that contract clauses could be triggered; linked to extraordinary events beyond their control (including war), which will impact on rates.
The BCIS Price Adjustment Formulae Indice for Highways Maintenance, Series 4 – material-price update is still the release published on 5th March 2026, which reports January 2026 data rather than March actuals. Further price adjustments can be found in monthly updates to calculate inflation-related cost changes in highway maintenance contracts.
Some contractors and suppliers have warned that highway maintenance schemes could be impacted this season, with prices going up as a result of supply challenges and spiralling costs.
There are also risks of potential supply challenges which could also become an issue in the coming months, with reports of global oil supplies down 20% already.
The supply of solvents for surface treatments also remains volatile and unpredictable, which may result in extended lead times and increased material costs. This has the potential to impact on penetrative preservation systems.
Mike Hansford, Chief Executive of the RSTA said: “The news of rising costs of materials comes at an already challenging time for the industry, as highway authorities assess the damage to their road networks following one of the wettest winters on record.
This is hugely challenging for our Association members, as suppliers pass on rising costs of materials.
This follows the Government’s commitment to increased, longer-term funding – a commitment that has driven momentum in recent years in the use of surface treatments – helping to support a more resilient road network.
At a time of rising costs of materials, and potential for supply challenges in the future, there has never been a greater time for use of low-cost surface treatments, to support the management of road network condition, in these challenging times.
Especially roads in mid-life condition, already experiencing localised fails over the past months. These roads need to be sealed this summer if we are to avoid a repeat of the damage experienced, next winter.
Our Association members will be contacting their clients to discuss the impact the conflict is having on their costs, and to reassure them that any increases will be passed on at cost only. We ask that clients support contractors and suppliers through what is a difficult time for everyone in the highways sector.”