Councillors in Aberdeenshire have agreed to buy land next to the Ellon park and ride to build an extension to the popular facility.
Elected members unanimously backed a recommendation to use a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire a small area of ground to the rear the existing bus terminal.
The park and ride at Ellon opened in 2000 and provides a transport link for thousands of people into Aberdeen.
A report to full council said the site had reported year-on-year increases in the number of people using it, with a 14.8% rise in 2013-14, which represents an extra 16,594 passengers.
Expansion plans were agreed two years ago, but the second stage of the works was delayed due to issues with obtaining the land required.
The first stage added 40 parking spaces, while the second stage will include improvements to the passenger waiting area and the addition of a further 99 spots.
The report to council said that “multiple investigations” had failed to establish who owns the narrow strip of land.
The local authority’s legal team have since suggested the best solution is to use a CPO.
An independent valuation has put the cost of the land at £2,000.
Aberdeenshire Council to buy land for extension to Ellon park and ride
