Care home to shut due to Lower Thames Crossing

More than 50 elderly residents face being moved from their care home to make way for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Families were informed on 26 March that The Whitecroft care home, in Grays, would shut permanently due to construction and noise coming from works for the new 14-mile (22km) A-road, which will link Gravesend in Kent to Thurrock in Essex.

A National Highways spokesperson said it had worked with care provider Runwood Homes "for many years" to try to keep the home open.

"We regretfully have been unable to find a solution," they said.

The authority added: "To support those affected, we've delayed construction until 2027 to give more time to find alternative accommodation and redeploy staff within Runwood's 23 remaining Essex homes."

Early enabling works for the £10bn project began this year.

Digging the 60-metre (197ft)-deep tunnel below the Thames is expected to begin in 2028.

Runwood Homes said it was made clear to them that operating the home "would not be possible" once nearby works began.

It had begun consulting residents on the need to permanently close the home.

If it decides to proceed with the closure, Thurrock Council will be involved in relocating residents to places that would "meet their needs".

The authority has not been able to find a replacement site.

Among those affected is 83-year-old Vera Cowlard, whose daughter Linda Apperley, 59, from Stanford-le-Hope, said the news had left families stunned.

"My mum has dementia and when the time comes for her to move it's going to have such a detrimental effect," she said.

"She's going to be split up from friends she's made. I'm concerned for my mum but also for other residents because some don't have anyone to fight their corner."

She said families had previously believed a replacement home would be found because of the potential "adverse impacts" from construction noise and vibration.

"The email says the home will permanently close but we don't know when," she added.

"It also states there are very few, if any, vacancies elsewhere. I can't stress enough how this will affect everyone."

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