The station was opened on 31 May 1847[2][3] in a remote location and was therefore little used. The western platform was accessed by a pathway down from Ringley Road; the eastern platform was accessed by a subway at the southern end of the station.[4]
In 1879, it was the location of the apparent suicide of a collier who had been in the custody of a police officer for assaulting his wife. The collier had jumped in front of an approaching train and was crushed to death, almost dragging the officer along with him. A later inquest in Salford returned an open verdict.[5]