Working on busy roads in some of the North’s most densely populated city centres wouldn’t be for everyone, but it’s one part of his job that Billy Chapman enjoys. This 25-year old Yorkshire man likes a fast paced environment and is always up for a challenge, which makes him perfect for his role as an operative at our D5 depot in Leeds.

Keen to find a rewarding, long-term career, Billy joined SRL two years ago and is part of a five-strong team that covers major towns and cities, including Leeds, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Bradford and Halifax.

Swapping building sites for traffic lights

“It is a demanding role, but that’s why I enjoy it,” says Billy. “I’ve always been the type of person that likes to be occupied. I don’t want to be sat still. I worked in the construction industry before I joined SRL, so I’m used to a physical job and early starts.” 

Billy and the team cover a vast area in Yorkshire, so Billy spends a lot of time on the road travelling to jobs and call-outs, or visiting customers to show them how to use SRL’s equipment. “I cover around 1,000 miles a week and I am always out and about. We look after lot of customers and plenty of equipment, so driving is very much part of the job.” says Billy.

“It is a really varied role and I can find myself putting lights out, performing battery exchanges, or attending call-outs in the morning and then I might be driving to meet an operative from another depot later that day to drop off or collect kit. We do whatever we need to look after our customers.”

In his two years with SRL, Billy has built up an impressive knowledge of our products and he is often the ‘go-to’ man if people need some technical help. “I am very hands-on and I have a can-do attitude, so I do find people ringing me if they need some help with problem solving,” he reveals.

Methodical approach

His ability to remain calm under pressure makes Billy ideal for coping with the demands of working in the hustle and bustle of a city centre. Not distracted amongst shoppers, commuters and even late-night revelers, Billy is meticulous and never leaves site until he is happy that everything is working correctly. 

“I’ve worked in all sorts of environments,” says Billy. “I once set out a complex job in Leeds city centre. It was just before Christmas and a German market was attracting lots of people, so we needed to get the system up and running as quickly as possible. It was a challenge to work with so many people around, but I just got on with the job,” says Billy.

Billy has embraced his role and, like all our operatives, has learnt on the job. “I think it’s important to be part of a team and to support each other,” says Billy. “I’ve learnt so much since I’ve been here and I’m comfortable working on all projects, however challenging they are.

One such project was in Bridlington where Billy was responsible for setting up 25 signals at a junction close to the police station. Billy helped to install and maintain the job and change more than 60 batteries on site every week. “It was a large and prominent scheme that was scheduled to go on for some time, but it went smoothly and the customer was very happy,” adds Billy.

Billy recognises the importance of technology in today’s traffic management industry and is keen to help customers embrace new developments when they emerge. “We were the first depot to demonstrate the new high visibility PVC CoverMe Signal Bags, which we are supplying to customers to help them quickly decommission temporary traffic lights. The feedback was really positive. We’ve also seen strong demand for CCTV and VMS products, which both lend themselves well to busy urban settings.”

Building skills

Billy takes advantage of any opportunity to further his skills; he passed his trailer training in 2020 and is currently working towards his HGV Class 2 lorry license. “SRL provides lots of opportunities to learn and improve your skills,” says Billy. “It builds your confidence and helps you to be better at your job.”

So, what makes SRL different from anywhere else Billy has worked? “SRL is at the top of its game and it’s exciting to be part of a business that will continue to grow and be the best out there,” says Billy. “For me though, the people are what really make the difference at SRL. People support and look after each other. We work hard as individuals, but you always feel like you’re part of a team,” Billy adds

Billy’s team is proof that teamwork definitely makes the dream work.

Thanks to our sustained growth, we have opportunities for more high-calibre people to join the team. If you’d like to get in touch, please email recruitment@srl.co.uk.