They are painting some real cameras the same colour as the blue tall
trafficmaster ones so you have to watch out.

Be aware of the new speed cameras which are being erected the complete length
of the 'A' and 'M Roads.  They are recognised by a tall blue coloured poles
and a small aerial pole next to it.  We may have a possible stay of
execution, due to the privacy law up-holding these unit for being switched
on.  At the moment it is being debated within Parliament. SPEEDCHECK SVVD or
SPECS went on-line last week-end on the M1,netting 4,300 offenders in a
single day.  The system does not use instantaneous speed like the cameras
we're all familiar with, instead measuring the average speed of every vehicle
over a distance of about a mile.  How?  By reading your license plates and
matching them up camera-to-camera.

Kent[1] and Leicestershire police are so impressed with
it that systems are being erected in their enforcement areas too.  This is a
new system which has now entered service after successful trials on the M1
and M20 in the UK. SPEEDCHECK SVDD (Sureway Video Detection Device) is a
system similar in concept to the GATSO, but with a new twist.  SVDD deploys
cameras at either end of a measured baseline, (up to 500 metres) to monitor
vehicles 24 hours a day.  Using machine vision, vehicle number plates are
read, and the precise time of each observation recorded and as a vehicle
passes the second camera, the number plate records are matched, and an
average speed for the vehicle is calculated.  If this is above the trigger
speed, then the vehicle's identification is recorded along with it's speed.
It is also flashed up on a huge illuminated sign further down the road to
embarrass the driver into slowing down.  When triggered, the detection
technology used in these cameras automatically records the date, precise
time, location and speed of the offending vehicle, along with a detailed
image of the front of the vehicle, which clearly records the number plate,
make, model, who is driving and colour of the vehicle. 

It works 24 hours a day.
Needs no film!
Uses no flash!
Uses
no radar!...So, bad luck all those of you who think that radar detectors
work.
It's been proven to be over 99% accurate in almost all weather
conditions. It doesn't do spot-speed checking.  A GATSO can only check the
speed of a vehicle within a certain range, so the tactic most drivers use now
is to slow down for the camera and then speed up again once past it.

SPEEDCHECK measures average speed over a known distance.  So if you do 60mph
under each camera and then speed up to 80 mph in between, your average speed
is likely to be near 70mph - 10 over the limit imposed, you're nicked. SVDD
say this means that the system can impose a far smoother flow of traffic
eliminating slow-fast driving that the GATSO cameras provoke. Because it's
automated, the system is entirely self-sufficient. It's hooked up to the DVLA
computers, and can automatically process the fines and send out notices in
the post. It's Big Brother. Don't believe for a moment that this technology
will only be used to catch speeders. It can be used to keep track of where
every single car in the country is at any given moment in time once the
network of these things becomes broad enough. Warning to M25 Motorists.  If
you are a driver then this is important!  Even if you aren't, you know people
who are, so it is still important! Please pass this one on to as many people
as you can. There are 60 newcameras that start operating on the M25 on Monday
14 June 2001. These are between the A3 and M40.  They are digital and linked
direct to computer, use no film or flashgun.  They can deal with 60,000
tickets EVERY HOUR.  The cameras are also (apparently) linked and can workout
your average speed between them. So, if you speed up between them and slow
down as you approach them, if your average speed is over the "legal limit +
No %" threshold you may well get a ticket.

Amendment:
According to a Kent County Constabulary spokesperson, Kent do NOT have any
SPECS system cameras installed in the country. (6th Jun 2001)