Brussels taxi protest: Severe traffic disruption expected on Thursday

Police in Brussels are advising drivers to stay away from a large part of the city centre on Thursday due to a planned protest by taxi drivers.

Taxis from all over Europe will gather on Boulevard Albert II near Brussels North station on Thursday morning.

Organisers are expecting more than 1,500 taxis to take part in the go-slow protest - not just from Belgium but other European countries.

The procession will set off from the Gare du Nord and finish outside the European Commission headquarters on the Schuman roundabout, via the inner ring.

A Belgian delegation will stop off en route at the office of Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort, to protest against the capital's new taxi plan, which aims to harmonise the existence of both traditional taxis and the likes of Uber, Bolt and Heetch.

The Brussels Capital-Ixelles police zone is advising people to avoid the affected area. Traffic disruption is expected for most of the day, starting from 8.00.