What kind of (speed?) camera is this?

[carguy143]

Driving up the M6 today and I came across this weird looking camera. At first glance it looks like one of those average types but it's grey and also has those extra things you see just in front of it to the left. I also couldn't see a second one anywhere near it which suggests this thing is on its own and possibly some sort of new trial device.

It's located between junction 26 and 27.

[Nickyboy]

They are Specs cameras, the logo in the armpit of the pole is the Logo for Speed Check Services who designed the Specs cameras

[Spare tyre]

Infrared illuminators?

[Lemming Train]

The first pole is a bunch of floodlights to illuminate your front reg plate for the specs cameras. Is there some smart motorway shennanigans planned? If so that will explain it as they usually need to move the main carriageway lighting which obviously means turning them off.

[MDMA .]

Looks like the bridge next to Gathurst golf club. Could have been left up after the recent repairs?

[LarsG]

Looking at the temporary concrete base it looks like a set of average speed cameras left over from roadworks?

[richard sails]

I have seen them too, not sure they are part of an average speed trap as there is no sign of a second set. Also the ones used temporarily for the roadworks were painted yellow.

I wondered if they were re-purposed for ANPR?

[alistair1234]

They also have this set-up on the evo triangle in north wales which has just had average cameras installed.

Rode over there on the weekend for the first time since they were installed and also wondered what the first pole of things was before each camera.

[RobbyJ]

As has been said they are infrared illuminators to light up the front of your car for the SPECS cameras without blinding you. The fact that the camera is grey not yellow suggests it’s just being used for ANPR but I could be wrong.

[Biker 1]

RobbyJ said:

As has been said they are infrared illuminators to light up the front of your car for the SPECS cameras without blinding you. The fact that the camera is grey not yellow suggests it’s just being used for ANPR but I could be wrong.

How would this work for motorcycles (no front plate...)?

[Lindun]

Biker 1 said:

How would this work for motorcycles (no front plate...)?

The same way the front facing cameras haven’t worked for the past few decades. Other cameras are likely to be around facing the rear of vehicles if needed.

[RobbyJ]

Lindun said:

The same way the front facing cameras haven’t worked for the past few decades. Other cameras are likely to be around facing the rear of vehicles if needed.

This. They generally mix and match front and rear facing SPECS cameras these days.