29 Jan 2024 | 10:49 AM UTC
France: Farmers continue roadblock protests nationwide, as of Jan. 29 /update 4
Farmers staging roadblock protests across France, including blockades around Paris, as of Jan. 29. Major disruptions continuing.
Unionized farmers are forming multiple roadblocks nationwide, as of Jan. 29. Agricultural groups are denouncing reforms and demanding increased investment in the sector. As of Jan. 29, farmers have established roadblocks on numerous motorways and major routes across the country. Convoys of slow-moving vehicles have also converged on major cities in recent days.
Since Jan. 26, farmers' groups have targeted their protest activity at Paris and the surrounding Ile-de-France region. As of Jan. 29, authorities report eight major roadblocks on the motorways around the capital, in the following locations:
A1: at the Aire de Chennevieres
A4: at Jossigny
A5: at Ourdy
A6: at Villabe
A10: at Longivilliers
A13: at Buchelay
A15: at Pont de Gennevilliers
A16: at l'Isle-Adam.
It is not known whether the traffic is fully or partially impacted at each site, or how long the disruptions will continue. Further roadblocks and slow-moving convoys are likely nationwide at little or no notice. Full details can be found at the official live traffic website here.
The protests and related security measures are causing severe delays on the affected motorways, and consequent congestion on nearby diversions. The actions are likely to proceed peacefully. Further protests are highly likely.
Monitor local news sources for protest updates and follow local travel and security advice. Avoid the demonstrations as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services.
This most recent campaign by agricultural workers started Jan. 16, when over 1,000 farmers in around 400 tractors formed slow-moving convoys and protested in central Toulouse.
The roadblocks then started in the Occitanie Region Jan. 18, with a major protest closing the A64 motorway 30 km (20 miles) south of Toulouse, near Carbonne. Agricultural workers then established other smaller protests at motorway junctions across the Occitanie Region.
By Jan. 23, farmers had established major roadblock protests on motorways in other regions including Auvergne Rhone Alpes (A7 motorway, near Saint-Rambert-d’Albon), Hauts-de-France (A16 motorway, near Beauvais), and Nouvelle Acquitaine (A62 motorway near Agen).
