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Alan Reay of Alan Reay Consultants is questioned at the Royal Commission of Inquiry. - Source: ONE News -
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The owner of the engineering firm that designed the doomed CTV
building has apologised to the families of the 115 people who died
when it collapsed in the February 2011 earthquake.
Dr Alan Reay of Alan Reay Consultants told the Canterbury
Earthquakes Royal Commission that the building had not met his
personal standards.
"I apologise to all the families affected as this building did not meet my standards," Reay said.
Despite that apology, during his third time on the stand, Reay once again distanced himself from the CTV building's design.
"I had little to do with it and I relied on Mr Harding," he said, referring to engineer David Harding.
The commission questioned the credibility of that answer, given that Harding had no experience designing a multi-storey building.
"He was confident that he could do it and I accepted that," Reay said.
Counsel for the commission then asked him if he believes design problems with the building should lie at Harding's door.
"I have said already that in the end if Mr Harding has made an error that ultimately it is the responsibility of my company," Reay said.
He also denied receiving a letter from the council which listed concerns with the building design.
Before Reay left the stand today, the families' lawyer, Marcus Elliott, asked if when he next gives evidence during the code compliance section of the hearing, could he list the ways in which he says the building did not meet his standards.
"I certainly will do my best," Reay replied after a long pause.
Reay will be back on the stand for a fourth time before the hearing ends.