REVEALED: The £2m 'stealth' motorway speed cameras that are paid for by British taxpayers

CONTROVERSIAL new "stealth" speed cameras have been paid for with £2.1 MILLION of taxpayers' money, it was revealed today.

The cameras are painted grey unlike the usual yellow onesIG

The cameras are painted grey unlike the usual yellow ones

The Hadecs3 cameras, painted in an unobtrusive grey rather than the usual yellow, were installed on the busy M25 by Redflex Traffic Systems Ltd, The Sun has reported.

The cameras are used to enforce variable speed limit signs but when the signs are not in use, they can also be used to catch speeding drivers who break the standard 70mph limit.

Using both front and rear-facing camera, they are able to scan cars across all four lanes rather than the traditional one.

Seven of the new devices in the Kent area caught more than 1,500 drivers over a ten week period.

The new technology is also set to be rolled out on other parts of the M25, as well as the M1, M3, M6 and M60.

Cameras are supposed to act as a speeding deterrantGETTY

Cameras are supposed to act as a speeding deterrant

These are not designed to promote safety

Nigel Humphries, Association of British Motorists

Critics have blasted the new cameras for trying to catch motorists out.

Nigel Humphries, from the Association of British Motorists, told the newspaper: "Speed cameras are supposed to be there to deter people rather than catch them out.

"These are not designed to promote safety."

Those who are caught speeding face a minimum penalty of £100 and three penalty points added their licence.

However, last year the Government announced plans to quadruple speeding fines on the motorway.

A staggering £284million was collected in speeding fines over 2012-13.

Angry Driver Films Moment He Confronted Speed Camera Operator in Police Van

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