A slow-moving convoy of tractors has caused traffic disruption in Belfast as several fuel protests are expected to be held in Northern Ireland.
Traffic clogged up on the Sydenham bypass near Belfast City Airport around noon, hours after passengers were warned there may be traffic disruption and to leave more time for travel.
Tractors travelled down the bypass in the direction of Bangor towards City Airport, with some cars undercutting them on the cycle route to get past on the inside.
The disruption comes amid social media calls for widespread fuel protests across Northern Ireland later today.
The protests had been heavily flagged on social media in the past week.
They included calls for demonstrations in Belfast, Antrim, near the port of Larne, Toomebridge in Co Antrim, at Omagh and Ballygawley in Co Tyrone and at Sprucefield on the main north/south road corridor towards Newry and Dublin.
The slow-moving convoy of tractors caused traffic disruption in Belfast
The average price of petrol in Northern Ireland is around £1.53 per litre, the equivalent of €1.76.
It has risen around 30p a litre since the start of the Iran war in late February.
Diesel is an average of £1.86 – the equivalent of €2.14 – and has risen 50p a litre since hostilities began.
Agricultural diesel is currently selling at around £1.16p per litre, the equivalent of €1.33.
The PSNI said last week that they were aware of the protest calls and were maintaining an “ongoing assessment” of their likelihood.
A spokesperson said a “policing response” had been prepared which would ensure public safety and minimise any potential disruption.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also issued a statement in advance asking that ambulances not be impeded by any protesters.
Last Friday, Stormont leaders wrote to the British prime minister demanding a financial package to address rising fuel and energy costs.
In a joint letter, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelley urged immediate action to help homeowners, hauliers, farmers and businesspeople.
“Families and businesses cannot continue to absorb these sustained increases without intervention which is why we are calling on the Prime Minister to bring forward a package of measures to support those under pressure,” they said.
“This package should include a reduction in fuel duty to ease pressure on both households and businesses, targeted support for hauliers, farmers and SMEs and a comprehensive cost of living support package.
“Given the scale and immediacy of this crisis, we have asked the Prime Minister to act decisively and without delay.”
The price of petrol and diesel has soared in Northern Ireland since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran
Any reduction in excise on fuel – similar to the cuts in the Republic of Ireland – would be a reserved taxation matter and could only be delivered by the UK government.
Last month the UK government delivered £17m for a scheme to help low income households in Northern Ireland deal with the spike in the cost of home heating oil.
It was Northern Ireland’s share of a wider UK funding package.
The Communities Minister is yet to bring forward the scheme for approval by the Northern Ireland Executive, but there was a report that it could happen this week.
The SDLP, which provides the official opposition at Stormont, called for greater urgency from the Executive, alongside other measures such as
Meanwhile Northern Ireland’s farmers took their calls for support to the Stormont Assembly and Westminster yesterday.
A delegation from the Ulster Farmers’ Union lobbied politicians in Belfast before travelling to London.
UFU president William Irvine said farmers were facing a “perfect storm” of rising costs for inputs like fuel and fertiliser combined with adverse weather.
“This latest surge in fuel and fertiliser prices is another serious threat to the viability of farm businesses across Northern Ireland.”
He said there was a real threat to food production and the long term resilience of the agri-food sector.
Mr Irvine said he did not know who was behind talk of protests or who was “pulling the strings” and that made him “nervous”.
He said he did not think bringing Northern Ireland to a standstill would achieve anything and would only impede farmers.
He said the best place to get a resolution was at Westminster.