Atlas Arteria has a “back-up plan” to fight new French taxes on transport companies if a constitutional challenge fails, and is cutting costs and jobs to sustain dividends at current levels, chief executive Graeme Bevans says.

A new levy on 4.6 per cent of annual revenues above €120 million ($200 million) took effect in January as the French government raises revenue from toll roads and airports to invest in more environmentally friendly rail networks and reduce carbon emissions.