It comprises a single arch of vermiculated Portland stone, with a plain keystone of ashlar.

For this reason, navigation under the bridge and through the Brewery Gut is controlled by a set of traffic lights on a one-way basis.

Initially commissioned from architect Robert Furze Brettingham the Corporation rejected his design and went for a single arch bridge in consultation with "Mr Soane".

[1][7][8] For much of its life, the current bridge formed the downstream limit of the stretch of the River Kennet dominated by the presence of Simonds Brewery.

Since 1999, it has fulfilled the same role with respect to the riverside precinct of the Oracle shopping centre, which has replaced the brewery, along with the Reading Buses depot on the opposite bank, with riverside restaurants and other leisure facilities.