Road Closures and Travel Tips for the 139th Durham Miners’ Gala
This year, the 139th Durham Miners’ Gala will be held on Saturday, July 12. The event is a significant cultural and historical gathering that brings together people from across the region. However, visitors should be aware of several road closures in place to ensure the smooth running of the parade through the city’s streets.
To help you plan your journey, here is a detailed list of the road closures and restrictions that will be in effect during the event.
Roads Closed to All Vehicles
Several roads will be completely closed to all vehicles, including pedal cycles and hand carts, between 4am and 8pm. These include:
- New Elvet Bridge
- New Elvet
- Old Elvet
- Territorial Lane
- Elvet Waterside
- Elvet Crescent
- Prison Green (Old Elvet South)
- Court Lane
- Pelaw Leazes Lane
- Elvet Bridge
- Market Place
- Saddler Street
- Owengate
- Palace Green
- Silver Street
- Framwellgate Bridge
- North Bailey (north of the access to Hatfield College)
- North Road (southbound between A690 North Road roundabout and to opposite the Bus Station exit and between its junctions with the Bus Station exit and Framwellgate Bridge)
- Crossgate (from junction with North Road/Framwellgate Bridge to the junction with South Street)
- Green Lane
Roads Closed to All Vehicles Except Permitted Users
Some roads will be closed to all vehicles, except for permit holders, event vehicles under police direction, and emergency service vehicles. These include:
- Whinney Hill
- Hallgarth Street
- Church Street
Restricted Access for Certain Periods
Certain areas will have restricted access for specific hours. For example:
- Framwellgate Waterside from its junction with the western side of the car park entrance on Sidegate to the junction with Frankland lane to its junction with Millburngate
- Millburngate between its junctions with A690 and North Road
- Sutton Street between its junctions with A690 and North Road
Additionally, no stopping at any time, except for Miners’ Gala associated coaches and emergency service vehicles, will be enforced on Framwellgate Waterside western and eastern sides from seven metres south of the access to the Radisson Blu Hotel and extending south for 50 metres.
Temporary Restrictions on Specific Routes
Other temporary restrictions include:
- A 35 metre length of A690 nearside lane within lane closure extending west from 105 metres south west of the western junction with Pelaw Leazes Lane
- Claypath (Between its junction with Prince Bishops Car Park Roundabout and the junction with Providence Row)
- One-way eastbound slip road from A690 to Claypath
- Claypath (Between its junction with Prince Bishop Car Park Roundabout and the junction with the one-way eastbound slip road) in a north westerly and then north easterly direction only
- A 50 metre length of Claypath, northern side, between the zebra crossing zig-zags and the car park mini roundabout
- A 50 metre length of Milburngate, western side, in the bus stops from opposite the Framwellgate Waterside junction
- A690 north side of eastbound carriageway from the nose of the A690 to Claypath eastbound slip road and extending east for 110 metres
- A690 south side of westbound carriageway on a 95 metre length of east of its junction with Walkergate
Parking and Park and Ride Information
Durham city centre will be closed to traffic from 4am on Gala day. Visitors are encouraged to use the three large Durham City Park and Ride facilities located at Sniperley, Howlands Farm, and Belmont. These sites will be open from 7am to 7pm, and additional buses will operate between 8am and 5pm to accommodate increased demand.
For more details on car parks in Durham city, visit the official Durham City car parks page.
