SPEED cameras have been installed along the East Surrey stretch of the M25 – but we are not allowed to know where.
Over the last 12 months the section of motorway between junction 5 for Sevenoaks and junction 7 with the M23 has undergone a multimillion-pound upgrade.
As part of the scheme, which was completed last month, the hard shoulder was turned into a fully functioning lane. But, less well known, speed cameras were also installed along the roadside.
Highways Agency officials are remaining tight-lipped about the locations of the cameras, which work in the same way as speed cameras on smaller roads and can lead to fines for drivers breaking the limit.
Daniel Wood, a spokesman for the Highways Agency, says the new cameras are to help traffic flow rather than to catch motorists out.
He said: "Cameras are currently used to help smooth traffic flow and improve journey times on smart motorways by ensuring compliance of variable speed limits.
"All that is happening is that we are introducing new, more advanced cameras which do that better.
"Regardless of cameras, signed speed limits are enforceable. It is important that drivers understand that the onus is on them to ensure that they abide by speed limits."
He added: "If we give the location of the cameras then it becomes unenforceable. People will adhere to the speed limit around the area of the cameras and we will end up with stop-start traffic."
The new "smart motorway" scheme aims to keep traffic flow regular, with new radar cameras installed to monitor congestion. If staff at the Highways Agency monitoring offices spot heavy congestion in an area they can temporarily change the speed limit, which will appear illuminated in a red circle on gantries across the road.
Drivers who ignore these speed limits could face fines if caught by the new cameras.
Driver Luke Fox, 22, who uses the Reigate stretch of the M25 every day, wants more clarity over how the cameras will be used.
He said: "I have got no problem with there being speed cameras on the M25 but I want to know whether they are switched on or not. It's morally bankrupt to not tell us where the cameras are; it is just a hidden tax and a money-making scheme."
He added: "It is better the way they do it in Germany where there's no speed limits."
There are 46 camera spots, which can have up to six cameras each.
