Slow-moving tractors disrupt traffic in Belfast

Slow-moving tractors disrupt traffic in Belfast11 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAngus HarronBBC News NIBBCTractors have been seen driving slowly along the Sydenham Bypass near Belfast City Airport - seen at about 11:30 BST 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.Demonstrators in the Republic of Ireland have been blocking fuel depots and motorways since Tuesday 7 April.Tractors are moving slowing on the Belfast Road approaching Tillysburn and the Sydenham Bypass past the City Airport, towards the city centre. 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.TrafficWatchNITraffic started building up on the bypass towards the city centre - shown at about 11:30 BSTDozens of vehicles took part in a slow-moving convoy in Strabane, County Tyrone, on Saturday.In developments on Tuesday:St Ciaran's College, in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, is closed because of a protest at a roundabout close to the schoolBelfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport advised passengers to give themselves "extra time" for their journeyPolice have prepared a response to minimise disruption and ensure public safetyDepartment for Infrastructure advised people to allow extra time for their journeysThe Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said: "We would ask that emergency service vehicles are not impeded by any protests."Why are the protests taking place?PA MediaCrowds gathered on the fourth day of protest against rising fuel prices in Dublin city centre on Friday 10 April 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 litr...