Richboro Port railway station was constructed by the East Kent Light Railway, as part of its branch to Richborough Port, which never opened to passengers. Authorisation to operate a passenger service over the branch was never requested by the East Kent as it considered that the Port had first to develop before expenses could be outlaid on improving the branch's bridges over the Southern Railway and River Stour, which His Majesty's Railway Inspectorate would no doubt have required before giving its consent. The station was named Richboro Port, dropping the "ugh" off the end of Richborough, as witnessed by the nameboard on the station and contemporary maps.