Looks like he has plenty of room for a new road. I would rip up the old road and plant pasture grass asap, so that it was not considered a community rd. anymore. I know you want to be a good neighbor, but many of us have been screwed over trying to be a  good neighbor.

I gave an rd. easement to a guy/cousin who sold his house to drug dealers. 
Plus folks forget to close gates all the time. Cows out on the rd and someone get hurt or worse.