Warning of traffic disruption in Belfast as series of parades and protests set for city centre on Saturday
The PSNI is warning the public in Belfast to be aware of the potential for delays to road travel in the city on Saturday due to protests and parades.
They are all taking place between 11.30am and 3pm.
A parade by the Ulster-Scots Agency is expected to begin at 11.30am, assembling at Gordon Street in the Cathedral Quarter before proceeding to City Hall.
The route will be along Gordon Street, Dunbar Link, Great Patrick Street, York Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Place, Donegall Square North, Donegall Square East and Donegall Square South.
It involves four bands – Campbell College Pipe Band, Mass Pipe Band, Major Sinclair Pipe Band, and the Northern Ireland Drum Major Group – with 300 participants listed on the Parades Commission form.
A second parade, a loyalist march, will assemble at Sandy Row at 12.30pm before taking the following route: Sandy Row onto Glengall Street, Victoria Street, College Square East, Wellington Place and Donegall Square North. A rally at Belfast City Hall is expected to finish at around 2pm.
It involves two bands: Ulster First Flute and Cloughfern Young Conquerors.
There are expected to be a number of protests at Belfast City Hall.
Also a Palestine solidarity parade is to take place from Writers’ Square at 12.30pm, taking in Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Place and Donegall Square North, proceeding to Belfast City Hall.
A rally will take place at Queen’s Square, beside Custom House Square, between 2.15pm and 2.45pm.
The PSNI have advised that the Christmas Market at City Hall will be open with access via the side gates on Donegall Square West and East.