This the 100 tonne crane barge that is being used to lift shopping trolleys and even cars that have been dumped at the bottom of the River Avon. The Canal and River Trust in Bath, who are carrying out the dredging operation, have so far removed 150 trolleys from the river bed as well six vehicles, one of which dating back over 40 years. Divers had already located and harnessed the dumped items before the barge was used lift to the obstructions, including mopeds, on to the riverbank. The work is being focused on an area between Windsor Bridge and Victoria Bridge in the city in a clean up operation costing £20,000 in preparation for a new development. It came after the abandoned cars and other objects were identified by the Environment Agency during a recent survey of flood defences in Bath. The historic River Avon is a haven for wildlife, as well as being an important route for boats, including those used by thousands of holidaymakers each year. The 100 tonne crane, which has been positioned on the edge of the River Avon in Bath to dredge the water for abandoned items at the bottom . The Canal and River Trust in Bath are carrying out the dredging operation which was ordered after hundreds of objects were identified as blocking the river . Not only have shopping trolleys and smaller items such as bikes being recovered, the crane has also recovered several cars from the water . A car is lifted from the riverbed, left, and dumped on to a scrap heap, right. Some of the vehicles recovered from the river have been over 40 years old . Passers-by look over the riverbank as the crane plucks an abandoned bike from the water, which has broken wheels and severe rust . The clean-up operation is costing £20,000 and was ordered by the Environment Agency after the objects were identified during a recent river survey . Over 150 shopping trolleys have so far being recovered as well as numerous bikes and wheels as well as several mopeds and cars .
Divers located and harnessed the dumped items which have included shopping trolleys, mopeds and even cars .
A 100-tonne crane has now been put in place to lift the abandoned objects from the bottom of the river bed .
The extent of the rubbish in the River Avon was recently revealed after a survey of flood defences in Bath .