Care home in England with over 50 residents to close down

Care home in England with over 50 residents to close downFamilies have already been notifiedCommentsNewsIsobel Pankhurst Audience Writer13:07, 11 Apr 2026View ImageThe care home will be closed due to construction nearby(Image: Iparraguirre Recio via Getty Images)An Essex care home housing more than 50 elderly residents has confirmed it will be closing its doors for good. Families have been notified that The Whitecroft care home in Grays is set to shut permanently due to the construction of a new A-Road linking Gravesend in Kent to Thurrock in Essex.‌National Highways and care provider Runwood Homes, which operates The Whitecroft, were unable to reach an agreement that would allow the care home to remain open alongside the planned construction work.‌However, building work has been pushed back to 2027 to allow time to source alternative accommodation for residents. The project, expected to carry a £10billion price tag, will involve the construction of a 60-metre (197ft)-deep tunnel beneath the Thames.‌Announcing the closure of The Whitecroft, a Runwood Homes spokesperson told Express.co.uk: "It is with great sadness that Runwood Homes has begun consultation on the need to permanently close The Whitecroft and to find long-term alternative care and accommodation for all residents."It was made clear to us that it would not be possible to operate the home with all the LTC and associated works going on around the home."‌While the consultation remains ongoing, The Whitecroft will not be accepting any new residents.Thurrock Council will be reviewing the needs of all current residents to ensure any new placement is suitable, with both Runwood Homes and the council pledging support throughout the entire relocation process.The spokesperson added: "We have been searching for an alternative site in conjunction with Thurrock Council but nothing was available. Runwood Homes has substantial experience in consulting, preparing and then transferring residents to ne...