Spanish infrastructure developer ­ Abertis has held discussions with the NSW government to express its interest in running toll roads as it tries to ­challenge incumbent ­Transurban’s grip on the $23 billion Sydney toll road market.

Francisco Reynes Massanet , the chief executive of Abertis, the world’s largest toll road operator, met with NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay ­earlier this month to discuss potential opportunities in the state.