Mr Ferguson wants to introduce a similar scheme in areas surrounding Bristol city centre within the next 18 months.

BBC: Residence parking in Bristol

If the distinct lack of posters and assorted other election paraphernalia in Bristol city centre is anything to go by, he is right.

BBC: UK Politics

Car-free Sundays in Bristol's city centre will start in June, the mayor has announced.

BBC: Car-free Sundays in Bristol to start in June

The festival celebrates Bristol's heritage, the city centre harbour and waterfront areas as well as its artistic community and green credentials.

BBC: Bristol Harbour Festival organiser announced

The new mayor also wants the Temple Meads Enterprise Zone to be larger, extending into Redcliffe, to link the train station there with the city centre, and he wants controls over supermarkets within Bristol's planning system.

BBC: Bristol mayor makes Westminster cash bid

Other cities have experimented Bristol, for instance, offers wireless access in the city centre, and Norwich ran a trial between 2006 and 2008 but Swindon reckons it is the first to offer free access throughout the borough.

ECONOMIST: Municipal Wi-Fi

Bristol has a free and open network in much of the city centre.

BBC: The myth of free wi-fi