The station occupied a ledge 294 feet (90 m) above sea level which had been quarried into the hill side.

To electrify down to Ventnor from Shanklin would require a fourth 33kV/650V DC substation plus its own 33kV OH line connections.

BR did not wish to finance that but tried to encourage the local authority to provide funding for the capital and running costs.

This they refused to do, citing that it would cause an unfair financial burden on its rate payers, the bulk of whom were retired.

BR had wished to close the entire Ryde to Shanklin and Ventnor line under the Beeching Report, but when consent was refused by the TUCC on grounds of extensive hardship to users, BR produced the new proposal to truncate the line at Shanklin.