The station opened by British Rail on 3 October 1983[1] to serve the new suburbs of Runcorn New Town.

It is situated a short distance from the site of the former Norton station (closed by the British Transport Commission in 1952) and the nearby signal box still bears this name.

On 17 January 2011 site work started on the installation of information screens on both platforms - these are now completed and operational (as of May 2011).

Step-free access to both platforms is via ramps from the footbridge that links the ticket office and car park.

[2] Runcorn East is served by an hourly Transport for Wales service to Manchester Piccadilly via Warrington Bank Quay.