Everything you need to know about ‘planned fuel protests’ across Northern Ireland

Reports of planned protests on roads across Northern Ireland have been circulating on social media

• Motorists are being warned of the possibility of widespread disruption on Northern Irish roads on Tuesday due to “planned fuel protests”.
• Some city centre offices are asking staff to work from home today
• Reports of the protests have been circulating on social media and have been calling on members of the farming community and HGV drivers to block certain roads in NI due to rising costs.
• The protests are reported to start at 2pm on Tuesday, April 14.
• They will reportedly take place on Westlink, Belfast, M1 at Sprucefield, Nutts Corner, Sandyknowes Roundabout, Larne Harbour, Ballygawley Roundabout, Toome Bridge and Omagh town centre.
• The alleged aim of the protests is to highlight concerns regarding rising costs in certain sectors, particularly around fuel and fertisiler.
• The police have said they are aware of the reports of the protests with a spokesperson saying: “Police are maintaining an ongoing assessment in relation to social media posts calling for planned protests across Northern Ireland. “A policing response has been prepared, if needed, to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.”
• Health trusts have warned patients to give themselves additional time to travel to appointments incase there are delays on the roads.
• The Ulster Farmers’ Union has said it has had no involvement in the organisation of the protests and its chair has called on members not to support them.
• The reports of protests come in the wake of protests in the Republic of Ireland which saw roads and motorways blocked.
• The Department of Health has said it would ask protestors to be mindful of health sites and vehicles and that health and social care services will run as normal until circumstances dictate otherwise when a revision of planning will take place by providers.
• Charles Hurst has told customers Service departments will open at 7am and showrooms remain open. Service collections and deliveries will run as normal in the morning, with any afternoon appointments being rearranged directly with customers.
• Fonacab issued a statement on Monday evening urging people to be aware of potential disruption to traffic, to leave more time for travel, to book in advance with prebooked journeys getting priority.
• Several schools have indicated they may close on Tuesday or close earlier if protests cause widespread traffic issues. Schools closing so far are St Ciaran’s College in Ballycawley Co Tyrone and St Gerard’s Special School in Belfast which will close early.

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