London Buses route 256 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Noak Hill and St George's Park, it is operated by Stagecoach London.
History[]
Route 256 originally commenced operation on 9 December 1936 between Romford Parkside Hotel and Emerson Park Wingletye Lane via Brentwood Road - Gidea Park - Squirrels Heath Lane. On 4 May 1938, the Sunday service of the route was withdrawn. On 12 December 1939, 3 years and 3 days after it began operation, the route was withdrawn and not replaced.
Route 256 later commenced operation again on 30 June 1954 between Woolwich General Gordon Place and Shooters Hill The Bull via Burrage Road - Eglinton Hill - Shrewsbury Lane. On 4 August 1954, it was double decked. On 5 January 1955, less than a year from when the route began, the route was extended from Shooters Hill to Lewisham and renumbered 89A, once again withdrawing route 256.
Route 256 commenced operation again on 3 February 1960 between Chingford Mount and Moorgate Finsbury Square via Crooked Billet - Billet Rd - Blackhorse Lane - Markhouse Rd - Lea Bridge Rd - Millfields - Mare Street - Cambridge Heath - SHOREDITCH CHURCH ( Sat pm ) - Old Street - City Rd - (return via Chiswell Street & Bunhill Row). On 25 October 1969, it was withdrawn between Moorgate and Hackney Garage and made Monday - Saturday only. It was then later withdrawn again on 24 January 1970 between Hackney and Hackney Garage. On 24 April 1978, the route was withdrawn and not replaced.
Route 256 commenced operation again on 28 November 1981 between Romford Market and Country Park Estate as a Monday to Saturday route only via Roneo Corner - Hornchurch - Wingletye Road. On 1 August 1986, the route was withdrawn and replaced by route 193.
Route 256 commenced operation on TfL on 24 September 1988 originally ran from Hornchurch St George's Hospital and Harold Hill Gooshays Drive. Operating from Romford (NS) garage using MCW Metroriders.
On 29 September 1990, the route passed to County Bus operating from their Grays (GY) garage using Reeve Burgess bodied Mercedes 709D midibuses.
On 28 September 1996, the route was retained by County Bus and the loop working at Noak Hill was withdrawn but extended daily from Harold Hill to Noak Hill. Brand new Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Darts were introduced at the same time.
On 29 September 2001, the route was retained by Arriva Southend.
In 2002, the route was converted to low floor operation using brand new Wright Cadet bodied VDL SB120s.
On 30 September 2006, the route was retained by Arriva Southend.
On 13 April 2013, a school day journey was introduced operated by Stagecoach London from their Romford (NS) garage using an Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident.
On 28 September 2013, the route passed to Stagecoach London operating from their Rainham (RM) garage using Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Darts and a Alexander Dennis Enviro 400. The school day journey was also transferred to Rainham (RM) garage using a bus from route 252.
In November 2014, an additional school day journey was introduced using a bus from route 496 at Romford (NS) garage.
On 18 July 2016, the Romford (NS) allocation was transferred to Rainham (RM) garage (one AM School trip remains operated by Romford garage from route 86 allocation (formerly 496)).
On 26 September 2020, the route was retained by Stagecoach London.
On 1 January 2021, the route was converted to a full double deck operation using Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.
Current Route[]
Route 256 operates via these primary locations:
- Noak Hill Tees Drive
- Harold Hill
- Harold Wood Station Forecourt
- Ardleigh Green
- Hornchurch Station
- Hornchurch Miramar Way
