I hope they 5 bar whoever did this from the countryside.
I’ve often thought, even as someone with a farming family,that there are more gates than necessary in the countryside. I’m not saying I condone chopping them in half but they aren’t always required. For example, in the Peak District going up the Roman road to Hope Cross, the last 150 metre stretch of the track has a gate to get into it. It’s then fenced in both sides so livestock can’t get to it but there’s another gate at the top. Why? Is this bit of track liable to walk off on its own if it isn’t kept securely gated? And as the trail is the same surface as that preceding livestock aren’t likely to come to harm on it.
Then, once you’ve descended the Beast from there and climbed up to Snake Pass there’s another little gate. Despite this area being forest, not farmland, with no sheep in it. The gate isn’t narrow enough to stop motorbikes and the track isn’t wide enough for 4x4s so what purpose does that gate serve?
A few less gates and easier access would probably be a benefit to everyone.