A swing gate providing free access when the electrical power that drives a hydraulic system to open and close the gate is off is described. The hydraulic system comprises a reversible electrical motor to drive a hydraulic pump which in turn provides hydraulic fluid under pressure to a double acting hydraulic actuator. An electrical actuated solenoid valve is located in a bypass line of the hydraulic system and the solenoid valve is designed to open when the electrical power is off which allows the hydraulic fluid to drain from one side of the actuator into a reservoir. Since one side of the double acting actuator contains no fluid under pressure, the swing gate can be opened by hand.