Shopkeepers are angry, and rightly so, that Yarra Trams closed all access to Mt Alexander Road up to Maribyrnong Road on March 24.

For many, Saturday is their busiest trading day, but they may as well have closed their doors given access was limited to pedestrian traffic.

Traders also suffered significant trading losses when the road was closed for three weeks in January for track maintenance. Surely these works should be scheduled overnight, or better still, on a Sunday.

But the tramways bosses arrogantly brush those alternatives aside saying they cannot get the staff or machinery at those times.

Retail is doing it tough but that is obviously not an issue for Yarra. Traders understand the need for track maintenance and simply ask that future work be arranged away from busy trading days.

Yarra Trams tried to close Mt Alexander Road at North Essendon on a busy Derby Day five years ago, but Moonee Valley Council intervened and forced it to reschedule works. They werent as vigilant this time around.

Bank invests in student education

Prep classes at Strathmores St Vincent de Paul Primary School now have the benefit of emerging technology in mainstream education with modern amplification systems installed last month courtesy of Strathmore Community Services.

The community-spirited Bendigo community bank purchased three new systems, comprising digital platform speakers, wireless microphones and a digital infrared receiver. Students can hear better and find it easier to participate in learning activities.

Instructions become clearer and students do not have to struggle filling in the gaps of missed information. Teachers clip on a light-weight pendant microphone and speakers gently distribute their sound. It comes across in a normal speaking voice as though the teacher is alongside you.

Youngsters with hearing impairment, mild, unilateral or bilateral hearing loss and other auditory disorders will be the major beneficiaries as they begin their formal education.

Strathmore Community Services continues to generously support our community.

Snails pace correspondence

Be patient if you are writing to CityLink. The Toll operator upgraded their management systems in December and the call centre confirmed last week they are a month behind answering correspondence.

An irate East Keilor client finally received an email response to his letter on April 11 after first writing on March 9.

The response left a number of questions unanswered so he sought some clarification only to receive an automated response saying that if they couldnt resolve the matter by themselves, it would take a further 21 days for a response.

The management systems were probably working a whole lot better before the gurus decided an upgrade was overdue.

If it wasnt broken, why did they bother trying to fix it?