Trains originally ran to Cannon Street, but after competition from the London Underground, these were withdrawn as a wartime measure in 1916.

The LSWR were not interested in making Charing Cross a joint station, but were amenable to providing a connection with the SER next to Waterloo.

[13] In 1867, the two companies agreed to build a joint connection so that passengers could change from LSWR to SER services in order to reach the City of London via Cannon Street.

[18] Queen Victoria used the connection for royal trains travelling from Windsor Castle to Dover and Continental Europe.

[12] When the SER line opened between Charing Cross and Cannon Street in 1864, it was frequented by prostitutes, who discovered the journey between the two stations was sufficiently long to service clients while paying minimum rent.

[25] Cross train services from Waterloo Junction to Cannon Street ended on 31 December 1916, as a wartime economy measure.

[27] The bridge which carried the line over Waterloo Road subsequently accommodated the pedestrian walkway between the two stations.

[32] Waterloo East was closed for maintenance on 24 July 1993 so a link with Southwark tube station, then under construction, could be built.

[29][33] Southwark tube station opened on 20 November 1999 with the extension of the Jubilee line to Stratford, and included a direct connection to Waterloo East.

[35] In 2018, Transport for London announced a new entrance would be built on Greet Street, providing access to both Waterloo East and Southwark.