It might, perhaps, be simpler if you thought of Hooton P1 not as a platform but as a siding. It is used primarily to stable stock and, very occasionally, to turn shuttles when engineering works closes the line further north.
There are other sidings, and platforms used as sidings, at several other stations on the Merseyrail network. For example, Southport, New Brighton, Rock Ferry and Birkenhead Central. And of course there is the rarely used platform 2? at James Street.
Nobody is suggesting curtailing services at Rock Ferry or James Street purely to bring these short sections of track into use.
"Shuttles" rarely work - you only have to look at the history of the Ellesmere Port - Helsby shuttle to see that. Or the underuse of Watford Jn - St Albans Abbey due to the lack of through workings to Euston.
The people who advocate shuttles are usually the people who don't have to use them. I change at Hooton a lot when travelling to and from Chester. It's not the greatest interchange station. The shop has closed, it can be cold and wet and there are only a couple of tiny waiting rooms and shelters. It's saving grace is the toilets, ME trains being toilet free, but these could go if the powers that be close the ticket office.
I am afraid we must agree to differ. I take a much more passenger focussed view than you. Cut the branches off a tree and the whole tree withers. Make journeys for Ellesmere Port passengers more difficult and many will choose other means of transport. And you will lose money not save it.