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The signal box was built for the North Staffordshire Railway by Mackenzie and Holland in 1872 to their Type 1 design, before the NSR standardised their signal box design. It retains the 1897 M & H 5" lever frame, (although many of the levers are missing), together with other original internal features. Although the windows have been replaced with modern UPVC frames, these respect the original fenestration.
The box was Listed Grade II in August 2013 as part of English Heritage's campaign to ensure the survival of a representative selection of signal boxes. Modern signalling and train control practice is expected to have made all traditional signal boxes redundant within a decade or so.
The initial EH listing identifies the name board on the front of the signal box as an original NSR sign, although it appears to be the standard British Railways enamel sign of the 1950s period in London Midland Region maroon. This in itself is of historic interest as few signs of this era of remain in situ. Most were replaced by the revised standard signs introduced from 1965 with the double-arrow logo. This one probably survives as it is not in a passenger-oriented location - signal box names did not normally appear in this style as most retained their traditional name boards for the same reason.

Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.

In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.

There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.

In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.

In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)

Read more at Wikipedia Link