Reviving this thread from 2 years ago: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/attn-durham-rider-landowner-still-needs-putting-back-in-box/

Well, it took 3 years but the County Council Highways Committee have finally agreed that a compulsory Bridleway creation order should be put on this track. Landowners objected of course, claiming it would de-value the farm by 10%!
Durham’s Senior Rights of Way Officer used Strava evidence among other things, to prove the “need” for this link.
Public support was undoubtedly a major factor – RoW officer said she’d had 75 complaints about the obstruction.
The gate now seems to have been removed.