Another page from Claire's GEC catalogue, this image is the one that GEC states that Portsmouth was the first installation of Dioptrions. Note the remains of an older column that the Dioptrions are replacing can just be seen in the left foreground.
I believe I have found the location of that picture - looking north along Copnor Road towards the junction with Norway Road.
Like the previous Then and Now, the road has been widened and realigned in the background. The railings on the left in the black and white image are just out of shot in my image to the left. PFI Iridiums dominate the scene.
Note the ring of concrete in the foreground in the grass, the remains of a foundation for a casual replacement column removed when the Iridiums were installed 2 years ago.
This older image was taken from across the road from approximately where the 2nd Iridium column is now located, just where the car is.
My prediction of the demise of traction poles was a little premature as
one still survives.
Referring back to the black and white GEC image, note the position of the decorative rings on the column, compare with
this image taken approximately 3 and a half years ago, a few hundred yards behind the GEC camera position. The rings look identical. So was this one of the remaining "GEC" columns - it was the only one left with the rings - if so it was 60 years old when removed.