Fuel protests taking place across Northern Ireland
Fuel protests are taking place across Northern Ireland today, disrupting key roads across the country, similar to what took place in the Republic over the last week.
There could be serious traffic obstruction across Northern Ireland, with social media posts suggesting there will be multiple protests.
Possible protest locations include: Westlink, Sandyknowes Roundabout, Larne Harbour, Toome Bridge, the A5 in Omagh, Ballygawley Roundabout, Cloughoe Junction, Sheepbridge Junction, Nutt’s Corner and Sprucefield.
Similar to the protests in the Republic, the consensus online is that the protests are in relation to soaring home heating bills, as well as rising prices for fuel.
Currently, there is some traffic disruption in Belfast, with traffic backing up on the Sydenham bypass near Belfast City Airport from 12pm.
Tractors have been spotted across bypasses, including one near Bangor.
Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jon Burrows, has urged Stormont to gather for an emergency meeting.
He said, “When people block roads for whatever purpose, it has a lot of unintended consequences.
“Right now, there will be emergency services who will struggle to get to calls, and there will be key workers who will not be able to get to work.
“This executive needs to stand up and deliver in terms of convening an emergency meeting to decide what we are going to do about the cost-of-living crisis.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a statement regarding some of the delays: “Police are advising of delays leaving Belfast country-bound on the Sydenham bypass due to slow-moving traffic. Road users are advised to avoid it if possible and to leave extra time for their journey.”
The average prise of petrol in Northern Ireland is currently sitting at around £1.53, but this has risen by around 30p since the start of the war.
Diesel, on the other hand, is sitting at £1.86, but this has risen by 50p since the war began.
The protest looks set to continue across Northern Ireland for the rest of the day, with slow moving traffic being reported along the M2 and tractors pilling up on the Ballygawley roundabout near Dungannon.