The development of New Longton was prompted by the building of the West Lancashire Railway between Preston and Southport in Victorian times.

The village lost its railway service in the 1960s, but remains a commuter village with an irregular bus service into Longton and Preston City Centre, which is provided by Preston Bus.

Longer distance commuting to Manchester, Merseyside and Lancaster is afforded by the proximity of the M6, M61 and M65 motorways.

The old post office building has recently been converted into a men's hairdressers 'Chapel Lane Barbers' and a cafe/shop 'Stickyweeds'.

In New Longton JFC (junior football club) the age groups starts at under 6 and up to under 16s.