Northbridge's busy night-life strip is among several areas in Perth set to be closed to cars and opened as an entertainment precinct.
The State government has revealed plans to shut James Street between William and Lake streets on Friday and Saturday nights for a month, which WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said would hopefully make the area safer.
"It's bumper to bumper effectively," he told the ABC Radio Perth.
"You've got all manner of ride-shares and delivery vehicles and just general vehicle traffic moving down the road very slowly and it's just like a car park in both directions.
"[And] with crowds squashed in on footpaths, [there is] a lot of testosterone around. It leads to a bit of aggravation that can be prevented if we have people moving out and dissipating in the wider area."
During the early evening, the area will be opened up to entertainers, buskers and performers and cafes will be able to set up alfresco tables outside their businesses.
But Northbridge bar owner Mike Keiller said he wasn't convinced by the plan.
"I think that this statement that removing the cars lessens the crime is a bit simplistic, to be honest. And I just wonder where the cars that are currently there disappear to.
"I've just got this feeling that it's going to mean more congestion on the adjacent streets and when you remove the cars and the existing the number of people get spread out along what was the roadway, it just kind of dampens the vibe."
Trials underway around Perth
Other areas in Perth have also been flagged for similar trials, including The Esplanade entertainment precinct in Scarborough, which will close on Sundays between 4pm and 2am from the end of the month, and Thursday evenings starting in November.
Part of Old Perth Road in Bassendean has also been closed to traffic, with the Town of Bassendean considering keeping the area free of cars permanently.
Earlier this month, the council trialled a two-week 'activation' in the street and opened the area for up for workshops, activities and entertainers.
Local shop owner Petra Richardson said she was open to the idea of keeping the street closed to traffic, but said the challenge would be attracting and keeping events.
"It's actually been really great to have the street full of people," she said.
"I think we need to trial it for another two months before I can have a solid opinion of it, but I'm very optimistic."
"It's exciting times to see if it works."
