UP to 150,000 people are expected to attend this year's 132nd Durham Miners' Gala held in Durham City tomorrow (Saturday, July 9).

It is not like a normal trade union march as it has no start or finish time and there is no one place of assembly - so times are approximate.

Programme of Events

8.30am-12pm

Bands and banners parade through Durham City, from the Market Place, across Elvet Bridge pausing at the Durham Marriott Hotel to perform for dignitaries, before continuing to the Racecourse.

Benny Graham will provide musical entertainment and welcome bands and banners on to the Gala field. There will be a funfair, hot and cold refreshments and many stalls and campaigns.

12.30pm - 2.30pm

Gala speakers on the platform

Dave Hopper, General Secretary of Durham Miners’ Association will preside and Alan Cummings, chairman of the Durham miner’s Association executive committee will give a vote of thanks.

Guest speakers on the platform include: Jeremy Corbyn, leader of The Labour Party; Dennis Skinner, MP for Bolsover; Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of TUC; Tim Roache, General Secretary of GMB; Mick Whelan, General Secretary of Aslef

3pm-4pm

Durham Cathedral Service: Banners being blessed in the cathedral this year are: Bewicke Mai, Haswell and Sherburn Collieries. The Eppleton banner will be paraded in memory of the nine men killed 65 years ago in an explosion at Eppleton Colliery.

Road Closures

No vehicles, not even pedal cycles, will be allowed on the following routes between 6.30am and 8pm:

Framwellgate Bridge; Market Place; Saddler Street; Owengate; North and South Bailey; Dun Cow Lane; Bow Lane; Silver Street; Elvet Bridge and New Elvet Bridge; Territorial Lane; Green Lane, Elvet Waterside; Court Lane; Elvet Crescent; Old Elvet; New Elvet plus Pelaw Leazes to Baths Bridge.

Church Street, Hallgarth Street and Whinney Hill will also be closed to vehicles but some residential access only will be maintained when possible.

North Road, Flass Street and Sutton Street will be closed between 8am and 10am, and again between 3pm and 8pm.

Due to safety considerations, this year the road closures have been extended to include Claypath, between Prince Bishops Car Park and Providence Row, between 8am and 1pm.

Parking is banned from 6pm on Friday, July 8 in New Elvet, Old Elvet, Prison Green and Green Lane and these roads need to be kept clear of vehicles until 8pm on the Saturday.

Any cars left in restricted areas after 6pm may be towed away by police.

Parking

The easiest way to get into the Durham is by using one of the three park and ride sites.

The car parks are at: Belmont, DH1 1SR, Howlands Farm, DH1 3TQ and Sniperley, DH1 5RA.

It costs £2 per person and you can park until 7pm. Under 16s are free if accompanied by an adult over 21. Concessionary pass holders travel for free all day on Saturdays.