The camera appeared without prior announcement above traffic lights at the intersection of the Great Western Highway and Main Street.

Curious observers said the camera swivels towards Caroline Avenue then back towards the highway lanes.

So, was this another sneaky speed camera?

Or had Roads and Maritime finally agreed to repeated council requests for a red light camera at that intersection?

When the Mercury’s Caitlin Ogg (on loan from Charles Sturt University) raised the issue with RMS it turned out to be neither of the above.

Neither is it a real mystery.

An RMS spokesperson said the installation is a traffic monitoring camera intended to assist in keeping highway movements operating smoothly.

It scans the intersection to help determine the traffic light sequence.

“Cameras have been installed as part of a project to improve traffic management and the phasing of traffic lights at the interchange of the highway and Bells Line of Road,” she said.

She said the cameras form part of the Transport Management Centre’s network of 1500 CCTV cameras operating across the state which aim to improve traffic flow and inform motorists of incidents on the network.

The spokesperson said the camera monitors in real time and does not does not maintain a record of any activity at the intersection.

This will disappoint members of the public and those on council who have campaigned for a red light camera.

They believe there is a real danger from the number of heavy vehicles in particular that blatantly ‘run’ the red lights at all hours of the day and night.