Traffic warning for Brussels on Tuesday as protesting farmers return to the capital

Traffic will be disrupted in the Brussels Region on Tuesday 26 March due to a new demonstration by agricultural unions, warns the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.

The all-day action will begin at 6.00, reports RTBF, with the following roads to be closed to traffic: Rue de la Loi (between Schuman and the inner ring), the Reyers tunnel (from the E40 in the direction of the centre) and the Cinquantenaire tunnel towards Rue de la Loi.

At certain times in the day, Brussels’ inner ring road could also be inaccessible, as well as the Arts-Loi crossroads. There’s risk of disruption in the streets surrounding Rue de la Loi and the European quarter. Traffic jams are likely to persist until the end of the afternoon.

Police advise motorists not to drive into Brussels on Tuesday, recommending commuters favour public transport.

This will be the third demonstration in the capital by farmers since the beginning of the year. In a Europe-wide protest, they are calling for fairer prices and an end to free trade agreements. Previous actions in the capital on 1 and 26 February resulted in clashes with riot police and widespread damage.

Some 300 tractors could participate in Tuesday’s action, according to the United Federation of Breeders and Farmers' Groups (Fugea).

Photo: Farmers protest in Brussels on 1 February 2024 ©Hatim Kaghat/Belga