Though jointly built by the two companies for the purpose of giving the GWR access to the Severn Rail Bridge and Severn and Wye Railway, it also provided an alternative route to Bristol Temple Meads via Filton and the Great Western soon made use of it to compete with the Midland for Bristol to Birmingham traffic, much to the dismay of the latter company.
Though constructed jointly by two firms for GWR's access to the Severn Rail Bridge and Severn and Wye Railway, this structure also served as an alternative route to Bristol Temple Meads via Filton. The Great Western later used it to compete with the Midland for Bristol to Birmingham traffic, causing dissatisfaction among the latter company.