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The bridge has featured in several films and television series, of which the best known appearance is probably the scene in 1978 film [[The Thirty Nine Steps]] where Richard Hannay (Robert Powell) escapes from a train and hangs beneath the bridge. The bridge also appeared in the 1977 Walt Disney Productions live action film [[Candleshoe]] and the 1987 TV series [[Knights of God]].
In 1978 the Board was advised that the time had come for a major refurbishment of the bridge. This began in November 1979; the work included the installation of 54 new steel beams to replace the old (rotten) transverse timber baulks which formed the decking, replacement of more than 50% of the plate-work by 6 tons of new top plate, and the replacement of 3,500 rivets by high tensile friction grip bolts. The amount of plate replaced was necessary to achieve the required structural strength for a 21 ton axle load as specified by the Railway Board. At the same time the bridge received a complete repaint using 1,200 litres of paint. The scaffolding used around 2 miles of tube and 2½ miles of planking. The final cost was approximately £94,346, equivalent to almost £½ million at 2015 prices. Despite adverse weather, the line was re-opened on time for Easter 1980,<ref Name="SVRNews58"/> although the winter closure meant that [[Christmas services|Santa Special services ]] were moved to the north end of the line.<ref>SVR News 54</ref>
Another major refurbishment was carried out during the winter of 2003-04. The estimated cost was £320,000, of which a significant portion related to scaffolding. The work included the replacement of the 1970s wooden bridge deck with a new steel mesh deck. The bridge was re-opened by a young lady named Victoria Bridge from Cradley Heath. It was her first visit to the SVR.<ref>SVR News 146</ref> The refurbishment received a commendation in the Institution of Civil Engineers’ 2005 Historic Bridge and Infrastructure [[Awards]].
