WATCH - Laois M7 motorway closure causing traffic chaos around Portlaoise

The shutdown of the M7 in Laois has hit Portlaoise hard on the day of the national protest at fuel prices.

Video taken by the Leinster Express / Laois Live showed all south bound traffic was being diverted off the M7 at junction 16 at The Heath roundabout.

Resuting tailbacks were extensive on routes in and around the Laois county town.

Video take  by the Leinster Express just before 6 pm showed that most Dublin bound traffic was rejoining the M7 at The Heath though some trucks had managed to join the Dublin Limerick Cork route before that junction.

There are three M7 junctions serving Portlaoise.