[1] In 2018–19 it was the joint least-used railway station in Britain, tied with Denton in Greater Manchester.

[4][page needed] The station served the Shell Thornton Aero Engine Laboratory (AEL), which was responsible for developing fuels and oils for the aircraft of the Royal Air Force.

Eventually, the signal box was dismantled and donated to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

This was a report commissioned by the government to find out how money could be saved, as use of the railways began to decline.

Although not controlled by Northern Trains, the station does have CCTV monitored by the security services at the Essar oil refinery.

The North Cheshire Rail User Group supports and actively campaigns for an improved service at this station and for this railway line.

The original owner, Shell, had cited increased commercial traffic to its refinery and the number of public vehicles using the road, recklessly in some cases, as reasons for closure.

[14] The road previously also allowed quick access to the villages of Ince and Elton from Ellesmere Port and beyond.

Although it is theoretically accessible by foot, it involves a long walk from either Ellesmere Port, Ince or Elton, all of which have their own railway stations.