It was built in 1839 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and has been designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building.

The bridge carries the Great Western Main Line over the River Avon into Bristol Temple Meads station, approximately 300 metres (980 ft) west (downstream) of Netham Weir.

The Great Western Railway company engaged Isambard Kingdom Brunel to build a bridge on the eastern approach to Bristol Temple Meads.

Ranger fell behind schedule, and by 1838, when shareholders had intended the line to be open, Great Western Railway declared his work unsatisfactory.

[3] He also complained that Brunel was a shareholder of the Great Western Railway company, a fact Ranger was not aware of when he took the contract.