The infrastructure ministry’s roads department will close the A12 motorway through The Hague city centre on Saturday, because of the planned demonstration by Extinction Rebellion.

The police have said they will not be present at the demonstration because they are taking action in connection with their claim for a better early retirement scheme.

ER had expressed concerns about the risks to demonstrators because of the lack of police.

A department spokesman said the highway would be closed from the Bezuidenhout exit (junction 3). The A12 runs for two kilometres through the centre of the city.

The demonstration is due to start around midday and ER road protests are usually over by around 5 pm. However, some demonstrators have pledged to sleep on the road overnight.

“As long as it is not safe, the road will remain closed,” the spokesman said.