The cameras have been fitted between junctions 5 and 7 (M23) during a £129 million ‘smart motorway’ scheme in order to promote responsible driving.
But the Highways Agency refused to reveal where the so-called ‘stealth cameras’ are, or how many there are near Sevenoaks, citing “operational reasons” for the lack of transparency.
And this, along with the fact the inconspicuous cameras are grey in colour and mounted on grey poles beside grey gantries, has prompted fears they are being used as a cash cow rather than a viable speed enforcement measure.
Maidstone and Medway News can reveal there are two operational speed cameras – around a mile either side of Clacket Lane – in both directions, meaning motorists heading in both directions can be clocked twice in a matter of minutes.
The cameras are fitted on gantry numbers 4381A and 4310A in the clockwise direction and gantry numbers 4381B and 4310B in the anti-clockwise direction.
There are 46 Highways Agency Digital Enforcement Camera (HADECS) enforcement sites along the entire M25.
Each site can contain up to six cameras depending on the lane configuration in the area.