Controversial proposals that would see major Aberdeen streets closing at night to boost the ailing city centre have been backed by councillors.
Justice Mill Lane, Windmill Brae, Windmill Lane and Bath Street would be closed to all vehicles between 10pm and 5am daily under the plans.
They will now be put out to consultation, with the council also to commission a number of studies to provide evidence in support of the closures.
Parts of Bon Accord Terrace, Langstane Place, Gordon Street and Bridge Street would be pedestrian-only under the plan.
Langstane Place, between Dee Street and Crown Street ,would be pedestrianised permanently, with a timed exemption for delivery by goods vehicles between 6am and 11am.
The pedestrianisation idea has proved popular with businesses in the streets, especially bars, who say their customers would no longer have to dodge traffic.
But disabled groups and the Bon Accord Residents Association have expressed concerns over access and a potential increase in anti-social behaviour.
Yesterday the authority’s operational delivery committee met to discuss the proposals.
One city centre councillor expressed concerns that the area’s population had “remained static” since 2011- despite the vaunted City Centre Masterplan aiming to boost the numbers living there.
Rosemount and Midstocket SNP member Bill Cormie said the 2011 census showing 16,526 living in the centre of town, which hasn’t changed according to figures obtained by Mr Cormie.
He said: “We are all for the city centre masterplan but we need to keep residents in the city centre.
“The number of citizens in the city centre has remained static, which is really worrying.”
Party colleague Jackie Dunbar and Liberal Democrat Ian Yuill said they had concerns about local residents who worked on call or on nightshifts being able to access their properties after 10pm.
The streets have long been popular with night-time revellers and often require a police presence due to drunken anti-social behaviour.
SNP member Gordon Townson said: “Residents feel this will polarise the situation by corralling people in the area.”
But officers stressed that plans were at an early stage and further consultation would be carried out.
New studies commissioned on footfall and the potentially putting in number plate recognition technology.
Committee convener John Wheeler said that officers would investigate the concerns while the consultation is carried out.
A further report is expected later this year.
