Why has yet another sinkhole appeared in Ripon?

This latest hole, which is reported to be about 50ft by 30ft across, appeared last night in gardens on Magdalen's Road.

That's just round the corner from a previous sinkhole which appeared in 2014 which caused severe damage to one house (pictured):

According to the British Geological Society website, external, the area is affected because of deposits of gypsum, a highly soluble rock.

A "cave" system has been created from this gypsum which, it seems, is slowly dissolving - causing the occasional appearance of sinkholes.

Georgey Spanswick
Presenter, BBC Radio York

I've just been talking to the North Yorkshire Fire Service about the huge sinkhole which has appeared overnight on Ripon's Magdalen's Road.

Here's what Station Manager Ben Cairns told me:

Nathan Turvey
BBC Radio York News

The top stories from our York newsroom this morning include:   

• Seven properties are evacuated in Ripon as a huge sinkhole appears in the gardens of several houses
• One in 20 veterans living in Yorkshire are struggling to find work, BBC figures reveal
• The Yorkshire Museum in York secures funding to buy a huge collection of 1,800 copper Roman coins in a ceramic vessel

A further update on the 50ft by 30ft sinkhole which has appeared on Magdalen's Close in Ripon:

Fire crews are due to return to the site at about 08:00 to assess the situation.

The hole, which appeared at about 22:30 last night and which led to the evacuation of seven properties, is also expected be examined by building experts from the council later.

Andrew Barton
BBC Local Live, York

Here's the latest we have on a big sinkhole that has appeared overnight in Ripon, leading to the evacuation of seven properties on Magdalen's Road.

Image source, Google

Fire crews were called out to properties on the road at about 22:30 last night, according to Station Manager Ben Cairns from North Yorkshire Fire service.  

He's told us the area is well known for gypsum deposits and says: "It's not the first time sinkholes have been encountered in the area".

A house on Magdalen's Close had to be demolished in February 2014 after it was damaged when a 25ft sinkhole opened.

"This one on Magdalen's Road appears to be quite large, probably 50ft by 30ft," adds Mr Cairns.

The appearance of a sinkhole on Madgalen's Road in Ripon overnight, leading to the evacuation of seven properties, is not the first to appear in the city.

Image source, PA/Paul Smith

In February 2014, a house on nearby Magdelen's Close had to be demolished (pictured) after it was damaged when a 25ft wide sinkhole opened.

Residents of the rented property in Magdalen's Close had to be evacuated along with people in two other homes when the hole appeared.

The 100-year-old detached house was demolished after assessments by building specialists at Harrogate Borough Council.

BBC Travel

I'll bring you more on the news about the sinkhole which has appeared in Ripon in a short time.

Meanwhile, let's take a quick look at the roads across North Yorkshire.

If you're about to leave the house and head out this morning, you shouldn't find any significant delays to disrupt you on the roads - but there are warnings of icy patches, so take care.

If you're in the Sutton Under Whitestonecliffe area, be aware there are temporary traffic lights and telecom work on the A170 near Cross Hill, which might slow your journey.

Image source, Google

Meanwhile, in Harrogate on the A61, Princess Royal Way, there is a speed restriction of 30mph in both directions.

And here's the live departure board at York Railway Station, external, showing all services currently running to time. 

More on the news that a large sinkhole has appeared in Ripon, leading to the evacuation of several people.

This is what North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have said about the incident so far - we're hoping to get more information from them as soon as we can.

Andrew Barton
BBC Local Live, York

More on the news that seven properties have been evacuated in Ripon after the appearance overnight of a large sinkhole.

Fire crews were called out late last night to Magdalen's Road (pictured) after the hole, estimated to be between 30ft to 60ft across, appeared.

No-one was injured and the area's been cordoned off. 

More to follow...

Image source, Google

Andrew Barton
BBC Local Live, York

Seven properties have been evacuated in Ripon after a huge sinkhole appeared in their back gardens.

More to follow...

Andrew Barton
BBC Local Live, York

I'll be with you until 14:30 with all the latest news, sport, weather and travel from across North Yorkshire.    

I don't think we're expecting anymore snow today, but I thought we'd start with a BBC Weather Watcher pic which shows just how much fell in parts of North Yorkshire yesterday - enough to build a family of snowmen! 

Thanks to George Pips for what looks to me like father-and-son snowmen.

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