Hi Jane,
I'm not a solicitor.
I'm a little unclear about the exact details, and with easements it comes down to specifics. Wiser folk than I have correctly said that proper advice cannot be given without a plan/map and the relevant legal documents.
I can offer these general rules.
Easements almost never require the owner to maintain an easement. And they generally don't prevent the owner from using their land. But these uses must not substantially interfere with the benefited parties rights
For instance, it might be reasonable for the burdened party to use the easement for a water truck to deliver a load of water to their tanks if they ran dry...even if some damage occurred to the easement surface.
It would seem unreasonable if the same happened, but they had piped water.
Generally, no party is made responsible for maintaining the roadway. If a party feels it needs to be maintained, it's up to that party to bear the cost.
The burdened party has no obligation to maintain the easement in a trafficable state, they generally have to refrain from substantial interference with the benefitted parties rights, but they are not prevented from reasonable use of the easement.
Reaching an agreement and understanding with you neighbours (outside of the legal system) would be my strong recommendation.
Google "Easements and common courtesy". The Kemp strang page is very instructive.
Regards
