Diver finds 3 cars in Water of Leith which could be leaking oil in mission to cut pollution at 'underwater landfill site'

A local diver has been uncovering more bizarre and shocking finds in the Water of Leith - including three dumped cars which could be leaking oil.

The diver, called Shane, also found six cannonballs (believed to be imitations) in the water - close to the Victoria Swing Bridge - on Sunday and a marine archaeologist is coming to look at them on Tuesday to try and establish their origins.

At the end of June, Shane made headlines after he counted 14 Just Eat bikes beneath the Sandport Bridge and a safe containing a stash of porn magazines, condoms and various CDs. He had initially gone in to retrieve a bike for a friend who works for Deliveroo who had it thrown into the water by youths as he made a delivery.

Speaking to the Evening News on Monday, Shane said he has completed about eight dives in total over the past couple of months.

Diver Shane in the Water of Leith. Pic: Hilary Thacker/ Friends of Water of Leith Basin.

He said: "I am basically doing it to give a little bit back to the community and it means less pollution for fish and less pollution for us.

"It is a danger if you don't know what you are doing and you could get killed or could get stuck but, if you are wearing the right protection, then no contaminates will come into a dry suit and full face mask."

Two weeks ago, Shane discovered three cars in basin one located within about two metres which he reckons are more than 15 years old – but only the roofs are visible because so much silt has accumulated in and around them.

On rainy days, Shane says he can sometimes see a film of fuel on the top of the water but it's unclear if the vehicles are still leaking because he can't see the engines properly underwater.

Shane throws out one of the cannonballs. Pic: Hilary Thacker/ Friends of Water of Leith Basin.

‘Underwater landfill’

Hilary Thacker, who runs Facebook group Friends of the Water of Leith Basin, described this part of the Water of Leith as an "underwater landfill site," with Shane finding all sorts of objects from plastics and road signs to bicycles and mopeds during his latest dive on Sunday.

Hilary, who shared a video of Shane's latest dive, said he has also been battling against a "huge amount" of sewage in the water.

Shane says recovering the old cars might be doable if SEPA, the basin owners and the Forth Ports authority can work together to use specialist equipment to remove the silt and a crane to pull them out.

Shane in the Water of Leith. Pic: Hilary Thacker/ Friends of Water of Leith Basin.

Local magnet fishers are also thought to be involved in helping to retrieve the cannonballs which Shane reckons weigh up to 30kg each.

Hilary says one of the most likely theories is that the cannonballs were once positioned outside the Malmaison Hotel in Leith and were cleared and somehow ended up in the water.

It is understood a local man is also hoping to upcycle the bikes which Shane recovers from the water if they are not claimed, instead of them going to scrap, to help meet the higher demand for bikes just now with less people using public transport.

Shane has also received various requests from members of the public to find lost personal items they believe are in the Water of Leith, and he now has his own Facebook group called Explore with Shane if you would like to get in touch.

Shane hauled out three bikes during Sunday's dive. Pic: Hilary Thacker/ Friends of Water of Leith Basin.

A SEPA spokesperson said: “Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment.

“We welcome efforts to remove rubbish of any kind from the river and are able to provide advice and guidance for anyone considering undertaking clean-up work in or around the Water of Leith.

“Anyone who is concerned about a potential pollution incident can report this via www.sepa.org.uk/report.”

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