Mark Lindahl

Said the following about John Matheson:

“John joined Bridgeway in March 2010 as a contract for services labourer having already had significant experience of working on track with his previous employer in many roles but recently as an assistant track welder and Controller of Site Safety..

John was quickly identified as having exceptional potential. His manner on site with his ability to learn new tasks whilst all the time conducting the works in the safest manner set him apart from other new intakes we had seen. This led us to fund Johns further studies by enrolling him onto his ONC in Civil Engineering. Despite being a very busy man work wise John stuck it out and Graduated with a Distinction which when working shift work is no mean feat.

John has the ability to focus on several things at once and complete them all outstandingly. This skill when working on rail is one of the best if not the best skill to have. John often acts in a safety critical role up to and including Engineering Supervisor/Safe Work Leader Level 2 whilst at the same time organising site teams to conduct drilling/coring/trenching/pitting activities to completion in line with his Safe System of Work. His ability to adapt has meant that he has now taken on in conjunction with other duties that of Lead Cable Percussive Driller operating our new bespoke Dando LHR D1500 tracked Cable Percussive Rig which to date has been a resounding success.

John is the main mentor for both new COSS’s and new ES’s within our department. His careful and meticulous nature to the safety critical role combined with his calm manner have meant he has helped the company create some exceptional safety staff in his mould with excellent knowledge not only of the rule book but just as importantly how to apply it practically on site.

I have no hesitation in nominating John, he is the consummate rail professional and one all others in our field of work would do well to emulate.“