This is the Land Registry Practice Guide on easements (rights of way).
http://www1.landregistry.gov.uk/assets/library /documents/lrpg062.pdf
May take a bit to get your head around but just remember that:
Dominant - the one with the right.
Servient - the one subject to the right.
Give the Land Registry a ring and see if they would accept an application for the easement to be released on the grounds that it is no longer required for the purpose it was granted (I believe this is a reason in the US but may be worth trying here).
Maybe you coul dlink it with abandonment if no-one uses it anymore as it's not required.
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/www/wps/portal/ !ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gfN1MTQ wt381DL0BBTAyNjY0cTE19PQwMLE6B8JG55dwNidBvgAI6 EdPt55Oem6hfkhkaUOyoqAgACg2Fe/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvU Ut3QS9ZQnB3LzZfTEY1NDE4RzdVOVVUNTAyMzNBNDRNSTE wRzU!
If they accepted it then they would more than likely write to the houses which have the benefit of the right of way to see if they want to object. If they don't need it or use it I can't see how they can effectively object in the circumstances you describe above.
Just be careful in case they try to do the same although you could object if you still need a right of way over their land.
Alternatively you could all sign a Deed of Release but this means all the owners of the properties who benefit from the right have to sign which may be tricky if one objects or can't be traced (eg property is tenant