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Divers spend six hours clearing rubbish from River Nene

Divers from Northampton Scuba School recovered shopping trolleys, tyres, a bicycle and other debris during a six-hour clean-up of the River Nene on 19 September. The team plans regular future dives to tackle ongoing river pollution.

By The UK Pulse Editorial Team··3 min read·How we work
A team of 16 divers, dressed in everyday clothes such as jeans and t-shirts standing in front of a large pile of fly-tipped waste. The pile includes a number of old car tyres, a shopping trolley, a large milk churn, many large full black bags, a Highways Agency barrier, planks of wood and what looks like a side table upside down. The team is smiling proudly with the River Nene just behind them, and the sky is blue with some white wispy clouds.

A team of divers from Northampton Scuba School, based at Cripps Pool in Northampton, carried out a comprehensive six-hour underwater clean-up operation on the River Nene on Saturday 19 September. Working in partnership with Northampton Active and Northampton Rowing Club, the volunteers recovered an extensive collection of submerged waste including two shopping trolleys, a milk churn, multiple car tyres, a bicycle, a drill and charger.

The initiative reflects a broader pattern of river conservation efforts across the country. Similar volunteer-led clean-ups have become increasingly common, with groups like the Durham City Riverscape Community collecting over 50 bags of rubbish from the River Wear and Cardiff Rivers Group recovering 59 bags of litter including children's car seats from Cardiff Bay. These efforts highlight the scale of pollution accumulating in waterways across the United Kingdom.

How was the operation organised?

The clean-up was structured to maximise both safety and effectiveness. Northampton Active, a West Northamptonshire service, loaned two canoes to support the divers in the water, while the Northampton Canoe and Kayak Club supplied a ladder to enable safe entry and exit from the river. All team members received a safety briefing before the operation commenced.

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Roughly 12 team members, a mix of male and females as well as a variety of ages, stand in a circle. They are in front of a white gazebo, and are all focused on one person talking to them. Some stand with hands in their pockets, some with crossed arms and two men have their arms across each other's shoulders. They are all wearing casual clothing such as jeans, tracksuit bottoms and t-shirts. The group stands on grass, with thick bushes behind the gazebo.
Team members received a safety briefing before starting

Those not participating in the underwater work were invited to join a litter-picking team operating along the riverbank, ensuring waste collection both in and around the water.

A diver in full diving gear which is all black and with an oxygen tank on their back emerges from the water with a large piece of wood. They are holding onto a green canoe, handing the wood to another person wearing red and black who is in the canoe. We can just see that person's lower body, as they receive the large plank of wood from the diver.
A diver from Northampton Scuba School removes a large piece of wood from the River Nene during a six-hour clean-up

What did the team discover?

The haul recovered during the six-hour operation demonstrates the extent of debris accumulating on the riverbed. Beyond the shopping trolleys, milk churn, tyres and bicycle, divers also removed a large piece of wood and various tools. The volume of material collected underscores the ongoing challenge of river pollution and the need for sustained intervention.

Six adults stand on a wooden jetty overlooking the river, with diving equipment piled up to the side. There's a diver emerging from the water, next to a ladder leading out of the river.

What are the organisers' plans?

Northampton Scuba School has committed to making river clean-ups a regular activity. A spokesperson stated:

"It was an amazing day and a brilliant example of what can be achieved through teamwork, support and a shared commitment to our local environment. We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part and are looking forward to continuing this important work."

The team intends to return to the River Nene in the coming months, with plans to support regular dives throughout the year. Organisers acknowledged that the quantity of waste recovered demonstrates substantial work remains to restore the river to a cleaner state.

Key Facts

  • The six-hour clean-up took place on Saturday 19 September and involved divers, canoe support teams and riverbank litter-pickers
  • Recovered items included two shopping trolleys, a milk churn, car tyres, a bicycle, a drill, charger and large pieces of wood
  • The operation was organised by Northampton Scuba School in partnership with Northampton Active and Northampton Rowing Club
  • Future regular dives are planned throughout the year to continue removing waste from the river

This article was sourced from bbc

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