Fuel protesters in tractors disrupt Belfast traffic

Slow-moving tractors are causing disruption on a major road in Belfast as demonstrators object to rising energy bills.

Fuel costs have soared globally as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran.

Tractors have been spotted moving slowly on the Sydenham bypass, near the Belfast City Airport, in both directions.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has urged people not to block roads and to let healthcare workers reach their patients, adding that "disruption threatens life".

Demonstrators in the Republic of Ireland had been blocking fuel depots and motorways for nearly a week.

Organisers in Northern Ireland say they are standing in solidarity with those across the border where hundreds of petrol stations are without fuel because of the protests.

The police said they were aware of traffic on the Sydenham Bypass and were advising road users to allow extra time for their journeys.

In developments on Tuesday:

• St Ciaran's College, in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, is closed ahead of any potential disruption
• Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport advised passengers to give themselves "extra time" for their journey
• Police have prepared a response to minimise disruption and ensure public safety
• Department for Infrastructure advised people to allow extra time for their journeys
• The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said: "We would ask that emergency service vehicles are not impeded by any protests."

Dozens of vehicles took part in a slow-moving convoy in Strabane, County Tyrone, on Saturday.

Some 20% of the world's oil trade, the raw ingredient for producing both petrol and diesel, has been halted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In Northern Ireland, petrol increased from 124.8p litre on 26 February to 153.1p litre on Thursday, while diesel prices have gone from 132.6p litre to 185.6p litre, according to the Consumer Council.

The first and deputy first minister have sent a joint letter to the prime minister calling for the government to intervene on rising costs.

On Monday, Michelle O'Neill said the executive was "carrying the can" for policy decisions made in London.

The first minister said: "The executive is in a really, really difficult financial position because of decisions that have been taken in London and we are trying to protect people from those decisions.

"People understand that the assembly has a limited number of fiscal powers, the levers that you reach for to help people actually sit in Westminster, whether that is cutting tax on fuel, then it has to be done at a Westminster level."

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he did not want to see any disruption to emergency services or medical appointments as a result of fuel protests.

"We all know the pressures people are facing, we can see how much this crisis is hurting and we understand the need for a response," he said.

"In Dublin the protests were targeted at a government who have levers at their disposal.

"Whilst I understand and support people's right to protest, it is important to reflect at this stage that I don't think we would benefit from widespread disruption.

"I don't think anyone who is struggling with fuel costs would benefit from sitting in an idling queue with their engines turning over and their fuel being wasted."

Although blockades at fuel depots and Ireland's only oil refinery have been lifted, slow-moving convoys of large vehicles continued on motorways around Dublin on Monday morning.

On Sunday, the Irish government announced a €505m (£440m) package to support those most affected by rising fuel costs. It comes on top of measures worth €250m which were announced almost three weeks ago.