At the side of roads, across scarred landscapes where heavy industry once pounded the earth and dreary corners bereft of plant life, a colourful revolution is about to stir. Below the hard ground, preparations for spring are underway. Before too much longer the bland landscapes, once heavily trimmed roadside verges, over-manicured grassy parks and dull brownfield sites, will be ablaze with colour, scent and the buzz of bees. Pretty yellow buttercups, simple daisies, towering red poppies, delicate wild orchids and powdery blue cornflowers and bluebells – familiar to past generations in acres of meadows and roadside verges before progress took over - are set to make a colourful return in, if all goes to plan, greater numbers than have been seen for years.