English: This two-track railway bridge was built in 1856 and carries a major line. It was once the ex-LSWR enterprising, highly encroaching line to the due West such as south Wales but this was a step too far for its rival, GWR. In the absence of renewed competition permitted (a franchise to most of the west is not awarded from Waterloo nor to another company than Paddington's revolving monopoly holder) it must make do with carrying the conventional Waterloo-Reading line today with occasional steam through services to the south-west.
The bridge is to a lesser degree nationally important for the second of the London-London loops from Waterloo, the Chertsey Branch Line, which is the only line through Chertsey and Addlestone stations and again can be used for onward access to Exeter via Weybridge for steam and special services. Wells, Yeovil, Portsmouth and Southampton are also such destinations from Waterloo and Staines.