THE final call on a possible full pedestrianisation of Eastgate Street at weekends has stalled after a petition of just 21 signatures against the move was submitted to city council chiefs.
A trial in April had been called a resounding success by police and businesses, with punters saying they felt safer during the three weekend period.
But a small group of takeaways and private hire drivers said they lost out on trade, as motorists were unable to drop in as the road was closed to traffic.
Police found the pedestrianised area easier to control, with no traffic and clearer CCTV images due to no distortion from car headlights.
The Nightsafe group, which comprises councillors, police, taxi drivers and businesses have been campaigning to encourage more footfall into the city at night – with a permanent weekend pedestrianisation at the heart of their hopes of rejuvenating nightlife.
Group chairman and deputy leader of the city council, Jennie Dallimore refused to write off the plans.
"There is only a minority who have opposed the idea, most people with an interest have fully backed it," she said.
"We have already moved forward a long way with this."
The group has suffered a further blow as a gating order proposed for Organ's Alley, next to Butlers Bar in Eastgate Street, has also been delayed.
One person, believed to be a female dog walker, has objected to the proposal.
The issue will not be heard now until September, when the full city council cabinet will meet to make a final decision. Residents and business owners said the area had become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour and drug deals.
Although only eight crimes had been recorded in the alley, it is understood many more have taken place there but were referenced incorrectly.
Justin Hudson, Butler's Bar manager, said the area has become a nightmare. "It is during the day when it is worse," he said. "At night, we can police it with our staff. Some of the incidents that go on there are disgusting, just vile."
If successful, a gating order will restrict public access to the alley but retain access to emergency services and businesses.
