The track – a favourite with four-wheel-drivers – was closed seven years ago after a landslide and has never been reopened.

The Bridle Track Action Group has recently turned its attention to state member Paul Toole because it says it can’t convince Bathurst Regional Council to do the work.

The group has warned Mr Toole he and the Nationals will face a backlash at the next state election in 2019 if he can’t get together with council to reopen the track, which runs between Hill End and Bathurst through some rugged country.

In response, council general manager David Sherley said this week that a substantial investment had been made in roads in the area.

“Since the amalgamation with Evans Shire, council has made it a priority to provide sealed access to all villages in the local government area to make roads safer for motorists,” he said.

“Council, with support from the State and Federal Government, has spent approximately $4.5 million in sealing the two roads between Bathurst and Hill End - one via Turondale, the other via Sofala.”

He said council continues to review its priorities each year. 

“After the election of a new council in September, priorities will again be reviewed and the community will be invited to participate and identify what they think council's priorities should be, which will form part of a new Community Strategic Plan,” he said.

The Bridle Track Action Group says there is an economic reason for reopening the track, because it attracted large numbers of four-wheel drivers, campers and anglers before it was closed.

The group also says the track needs to be reopened because it provides an “escape route” for residents during a bushfire.

Mr Toole said last week that he will work with council on what it decides are its rural roads priorities.