Any idea what it was. There was a guy with a van, and he had the camera set up on a tripod looking at the traffic. It resembled a grey cylinder, probably the size of a rugby ball........?

Probably ANPR.

Maybe for tax & insurance dodgers.

Interesting........ Thanks.

Seen a few parked up in laybys.

Some are manned by the Police, which usually have marked or unmarked cars further up the road.

Some are manned by the DVLA.