THOUSANDS of people will be heading to the North-East this weekend for the biggest event on the socialist calendar.

The 131st Durham Miners’ Gala will attract former pitmen and their families as well as left-wingers of all generations for the traditional ‘Big Meeting’ in the historic city centre on Saturday.

Colliery communities and trade unions will march with banners as brass bands provide the musical backdrop for the march from the Market Place in Durham to the racecourse.

Speakers this year include union chiefs Len McCluskey, of Unite, Matt Wrack of the Fire Brigades Union along with left-wing author and Guardian columnist Owen Jones.

Durham Miners’ Association secretary Dave Hopper will also introduce Steve Murphy from UCATT, John McDonald from ASLEF and Chris Keates from the NASUWT.

Topics this year are expected to include The Labour Party defeat at the recent General Election in May, after which its leader Ed Miliband resigned, and who can take on the Tories in five years time.

The gala on Saturday is a day before the leadership and deputy leadership hustings at The Great North Museum in Newcastle, which is being moderated by Chris Lloyd, The Northern Echo’s political editor.

Meanwhile, police have urged motorists to keep the roads in Durham City clear on gala day or face the risk of having their vehicles towed away.

No vehicles, not even pedal cycles, will be allowed on several routes between 6.30am and 8pm.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “This measure was brought in after a number of cars had to be towed away in previous years.

“Police found several owners had parked up before enjoying a night out in the city and then returned the next day fully expecting to pick up their vehicles.

“Any vehicles remaining in the Elvet area after 6pm on Friday may be removed by the police under the contract vehicle recovery scheme. It will cost owners a recovery fee plus any storage charges to get their vehicles back.”

The ban extends to: 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 and 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 9am and 1pm.

An additional restriction sees parking banned from 6pm on Friday, July 10 in New Elvet, Old Elvet, Prison Green and Green Lane. These roads need to be kept clear of vehicles until 8pm on the Saturday.