After almost two years of intense debate, councillors voted eight to four to support a motion that would retain the 14 figs and turn Laman Street into a permanent one way street.

The vote was taken after another petition containing 445 signatures supporting the retention of the figs was tabled.

It took the number of people who signed petitions in support of keeping the Laman Street figs to 9981.

Earlier during the Public Voice session, Save Our Figs coalition representatives told councillors they wished to work with them to find a solution to keep the trees.

Several councillors congratulated the community campaigners who fought to save the trees from the brink of being axed.

‘‘You have been persistent, consistent and constructive. I admire the way the you have developed your case,’’ lord mayor John Tate said.

Cr Shayne Connell said the motion, moved by Cr Nuatali Nelmes, allowed the council to respect its duty of care but also recognised the community’s wish to keep the trees.

‘‘There have only been a few campaigns like this one; the campaign to save the Loft comes to mind,’’ he said.

The motion also involves the implementation of alternative risk mitigation and management strategies.

The base of the trees will be mulched and arterial root growth will be encouraged to create stability.

The four hills fig trees that are already missing from Laman street are also to be replaced.

A recommendation not to proceed with a pull test on the trees was also supported after advice the test could not be relied on to provide reliable indication of the trees’ stability.