Martyn Priestley

We asked Martyn…

Martyn's career path

My route into highways and infrastructure has been through practical experience and the apprenticeship pathway.

I started in hands‑on operational roles, which gave me a solid understanding of how highways assets work, the importance of safety, and how onsite decisions affect the wider network.

From there, I progressed through an apprenticeship, gaining structured training in highway safety inspections, defect identification, risk assessment, and asset management, all while learning directly on the job.

As I developed, I completed further technical courses and industry‑recognised qualifications, allowing me to take on more responsibility and apply stronger engineering judgement in day‑to‑day duties.

This combination of apprenticeships, continuous learning, and real‑world exposure led me into a senior inspector role.

My pathway shows that you don’t need the traditional university route. Apprenticeships offer a practical, accessible, and rewarding way to build a career in highways and civil engineering.

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because…

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because it’s one of the few professions where you can clearly see the impact of your work every single day.

Whether it’s improving roads, managing assets, or keeping the network safe for the public, the job gives you a real sense of purpose and achievement.

No two days are the same, and the challenges keep you thinking, learning, and problem‑solving.

It’s a career that suits people who like being out onsite, making decisions, and dealing with real‑world issues that matter to communities.

There’s also great progression, a wide variety of pathways, and the chance to work on projects that genuinely improve people’s lives.

Above all, it’s rewarding to know that the work you do helps keep everything moving – literally.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil or infrastructure engineer/technician, but I’m also…

I’m also the person who can’t go anywhere without accidentally doing a highways inspection.

A simple walk turns into spotting potholes, failed joints, rocking slabs and “that really shouldn’t be like that…” moments.

My friends think I’m sightseeing – I’m actually mentally raising defects.

I’m also the one who stands at the kerb waiting for a safe crossing point, not for traffic, but because I’m judging the condition of the tactile paving.

And yes, I’ve absolutely taken photos of road defects on holiday – purely for “educational purposes,” of course.

Name one civil or infrastructure engineering myth you’d like to bust.

One myth I’d like to bust is the idea that civil and infrastructure engineering is “just about fixing potholes”. 

While potholes definitely get the headlines, the work behind the scenes is far more complex.

Highways and infrastructure rely on constant inspection, risk assessment, asset management, planning, coordination, and engineering judgement.

We’re not just reacting to problems – we’re preventing them, analysing causes, managing safety, and keeping entire networks functioning day and night.

The visible repairs are only a tiny part of the engineering that goes into keeping the public safe and the network moving.

How does your role contribute to addressing climate change?

As a highways inspector, I contribute to addressing climate change by helping ensure the network is resilient, safe, and able to cope with increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Climate change brings more intense rainfall, heat, and flooding, and my role is often the first line of defence in spotting early signs of deterioration.

By identifying drainage failures, surface breakdown, flooding risks, and heat‑related damage at an early stage, I help prevent bigger problems that would require more carbon‑intensive interventions later.

I also support more sustainable asset management by making evidence‑based decisions that extend the life of existing infrastructure wherever possible.

Proactive maintenance reduces waste, minimises unnecessary replacement, and helps ensure resources are used responsibly.

Overall, my inspections play a key part in building a more climate‑resilient network.

How does your role contribute to making the industry more diverse and inclusive?

As a highways inspector, I contribute to a more diverse and inclusive industry by being aware of the different needs of the communities I work within.

Part of my role involves inspecting areas around busy community locations, including mosques, and I recognise how important Friday prayers are in terms of higher footfall, increased pedestrian activity, and the need for safe access.

I plan and carry out inspections in a way that avoids disruption, and I make sure any issues around these locations – such as uneven surfaces, drainage problems or access barriers – are identified and addressed quickly. 

By working respectfully around cultural practices and being mindful of the people who rely on these spaces, I help show that engineering is for everyone and that our work supports all parts of the community.

It also helps demonstrate that the industry values diversity in the workforce and the communities we serve.

What role does digital technology play in your job?

Digital technology plays a key role in my work as a highways inspector.

I use mobile inspection software and mapping tools to record defects accurately, capture photos, log locations, and prioritise risks in real time while out on the network.

This ensures information is uploaded immediately, helping teams plan repairs more efficiently and reducing delays.

Geographic information systems (GIS) and asset databases allow me to view the history of each location, track deterioration patterns, and make better evidence‑based decisions.

Digital communication platforms also help me coordinate with contractors, supervisors, and other departments quickly, especially when urgent issues arise.

Overall, digital tools make inspections more accurate, consistent, and responsive, allowing me to manage the network more effectively and improve safety for the public.

What is motivating you to become professionally qualified? 

My motivation to become professionally qualified with the ICE comes from a commitment to delivering work to the highest professional standards and contributing positively to the civil engineering sector.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen the value that professionally qualified engineers bring, not just in terms of technical expertise, but also in the leadership, judgement, and accountability they provide on complex projects.

Achieving professional qualification represents a benchmark of competence, independence, and integrity that I aspire to.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career? 

Working towards professional qualification with the ICE is an important step in strengthening my capability and credibility as a highways inspector.

In my role, I am responsible for ensuring that assets, construction activities, and operational practices meet strict safety, quality, and compliance standards.

The ICE qualification process directly aligns with this by reinforcing the technical knowledge, engineering judgement, and professional accountability required to perform the role effectively.

The structured development pathway is already helping me to broaden my understanding of engineering principles behind the assets I inspect.

It encourages me to think beyond the immediate inspection task and consider the wider engineering context: risk, design intent, whole‑life performance, and the impact of decisions on long‑term safety and reliability. 

This deeper awareness is supporting me in making more informed, evidence‑based decisions onsite, especially when dealing with defects, non‑conformance, or situations that require clear engineering justification.

Working towards ICE membership is also strengthening my leadership within the inspection team.

It gives additional weight to my advice and assessments, helps build trust with designers, contractors, and stakeholders, and demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high professional standards.

The process motivates me to continuously improve, reflect on my work, and stay aligned with industry best practice. 

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

Being a member of the ICE has offered me a valuable platform for continuous professional development (CPD) by giving me access to a wide range of learning and networking opportunities. 

Through regular ICE membership webinars, I’ve been able to gain practical advice on progressing towards professional qualification and Fellowship, helping me stay focused and informed throughout my career journey.

The availability of recorded lectures, online events, and CPD‑aligned learning resources has strengthened my technical knowledge and kept me up to date with industry developments.

What made you decide to study engineering?

From an early stage, I was drawn to practical problem‑solving and the challenge of finding solutions that improve safety, reliability, and everyday life.

Engineering felt like a natural fit because it combines technical thinking with real‑world impact.

As I learned more about the industry, I became particularly interested in the way engineering shapes infrastructure – the structures, transport networks, and assets that communities rely on every day.

Studying engineering has given me the foundation to move into my current role as a highways inspector, where I can apply that knowledge directly onsite.

The combination of hands‑on work and engineering principles is exactly what motivated me to follow this path.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?

The most complex Lego build I’ve tackled was helping my step‑children put together some of their larger Lego cars.

These sets often have far more detail and moving parts than you first expect – steering mechanisms, hinged panels, small components that need to fit together precisely, and sections that only make sense once the whole model starts coming together.

One of the bigger cars took a good couple of hours to build, mainly because we made it a shared activity, working through the instructions step by step and checking each section before moving on.

I enjoyed the problem‑solving challenge of it: organising the pieces, interpreting the diagrams, and figuring out where the smaller elements fit to create the overall structure.

It reminded me a lot of the engineering mindset I use in my role: working methodically, paying attention to detail, and seeing how individual components come together to form a complete, functioning design.

It’s a fun way of combining creativity, patience, and practical thinking, and it’s become a bit of a tradition with the kids each Christmas.

Where do you get your engineering inspiration?

My engineering inspiration has been shaped not only by real life experiences but also by the programmes that fuelled my curiosity about the built environment, and none more so than Grand Designs.

What I’ve always loved about the show is the way it goes far beyond simply documenting a build.

Each episode takes you on a complete engineering and architectural journey from the early concept sketches full of ambition, through the inevitable setbacks, design changes, weather delays, budget pressures and finally to the moment when everything comes together. 

Watching Grand Designs showed me just how much problem solving happens behind the scenes:

• how people must adapt when ground conditions differ from expectations;
• when structural challenges appear halfway through construction; or
• when a design pushes conventional methods to their limits. 

The programme doesn’t shy away from showing the stress, the technical decisions and the sheer resilience needed to turn a vision into reality. 

Any hobbies?

Outside of work, I spend a lot of my time on DIY and home improvement projects.

I always seem to have a property renovation underway, whether it's updating a room, tackling joinery, or taking on bigger structural tasks.

One thing I particularly enjoy is installing plasterboard ceilings – even though my partner absolutely hates it when I decide to start another one.

For me, DIY is a great way to apply practical skills, solve problems hands‑on, and see real results from the work I put in.

Renovation projects keep me learning and give me a strong sense of achievement.

Away from DIY, one of my long‑standing passions is following Bradford City.

Supporting the club has been a big part of my life, and I enjoy the ups and downs that come with being a loyal fan.

Whether it’s keeping up with matches, talking football with friends and family, or getting to games when I can, it’s something that brings a lot of enjoyment outside of work and projects.