CRISIS talks on the future of night-time safety in Gloucester ended with a green light for a six-month pedestrianisation of Eastgate Street at weekends.
Shock tactics were used to persuade the few objectors to the plans to get on board at a meeting at The Registry yesterday.
A fight spilling out into on-coming traffic was shown to highlight the dangers.
A three-weekend April trial saw some businesses see a 40 per cent boost in profits. But private hire cab firms and some takeaways said they had seen a fall in trade and submitted a petition to the city council.
The nightsafe group, led by Jennie Dallimore, is determined to shake off Eastgate Street's reputation as Gloucestershire's most dangerous street. Thousands have been spent on improved lighting and better CCTV, with a pedestrianisation plan the latest safety initiative.
"Three weekends are not enough as a trial period," she said.
"If businesses are still seeing problems after six months and they really are being crushed, then we will think again. We all need to work together for a better, safer city. I will be fighting for the regeneration of Eastgate Street."
Discussions are under way to create a specific drop-off and pick-up point for private hire drivers.
The county council Highways Department is looking into the potential for pop-up bollards.
It is hoped the six-month trial, closing traffic off from 11pm until 5am, will begin in eight weeks.
City centre beat officer PC Mark Mansfield said: "Ninety nine per cent of people we have asked think this is a good idea.
"Cars are missing people by inches. As a police officer, it makes me feel very uneasy. It is a dangerous situation."
Private hire driver Shabir Vasmir vowed to fight the plans, but said he would work towards a more flexible operation.
"There is only one city street where there is business, the rest of the city is dead," he said.
"The difference between Cheltenham and Gloucester is clear."
Chief Inspector Richard Burge said policing the city at night was a drain on resources, with pedestrianisation key to helping police maintain order.
Mark Scowby, 32, from Kingsholm, said: "That area needs brightening up, a cafe quarter with more greenery and tables and chairs out on the street would be great. That would be much easier without cars. It's hard to compete with Cheltenham in the state it is in."
