The station serves the government offices at Benton Park View and the Freeman Hospital, both in Newcastle, and the North Tyneside suburb of Longbenton.

At the time, the government was planning the construction of new offices for the Ministry of National Insurance in the area and requested that a new station be provided to improve access.

[2][3] Following closure for conversion to the Tyne and Wear Metro on 23 January 1978, a number of alterations were made to the station, including the shortening of platforms, construction of a new footbridge with spiral ramps to improve wheelchair access, and installation of new signage and ticket machines.

A new ticket hall was added on the eastbound platforms, and related aesthetic changes were made to the original footbridge constructed by the London and North Eastern Railway.

The station also features Journey's Echo, a collection of artwork created in collaboration with sixth form students from the nearby secondary school, which was commissioned in 1999.

[6] The station is equipped with ticket machines, waiting shelter, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point on both platforms.