A Sustainable Second Life: Welsh Water at Llys-y-Frân

Aerial view of children driving Crazi-Bugz buggies on a winding off-road track lined with tyres and wooden fencing, set among woodland.

At Llys-y-Frân Lake, Welsh Water introduced eight Crazi-Bugz on a custom-designed track — complete with a beginner practice loop, a tunnel and a bridge — to bring a fresh, family-focused activity to its reservoir destination. Five years on, that same all-electric fleet has been refurbished rather than replaced, extending its working life, protecting the original investment and keeping waste to a minimum. It’s a partnership built on reliable operation, careful maintenance and a shared commitment to sustainability.


“The team has supported us with operating the Crazi-Bugz since delivery in 2021. They are a great addition to the activities at Dŵr Cymru, and we can't wait for our visitors to experience them for years to come."

- Euan Foster, Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water


Llys-y-Frân reservoir and dam, with rolling fields and woodland under a cloudy sky.

 

Bringing Energy to the Reservoir

Welsh Water wanted to diversify the activity offer at the reservoir with something unique — an attraction that encouraged repeat visits, appealed to younger families and blended naturally into the scenic surroundings. Just as importantly, it needed to balance guest fun with day-to-day operational reliability, without adding pressure on site staff.

The team were looking for an activity that would:

• Appeal to younger families and encourage repeat visits
• Offer something genuinely distinctive to the destination
• Balance guest enjoyment with operational reliability
• Blend naturally into the lake’s scenic surroundings
• Deliver lasting value rather than become a short-lived attraction

In short, they wanted an attraction that was exciting for visitors, practical to run, and capable of becoming a long-term part of the destination’s offer.


Drone shot of a looping off-road buggy track in a woodland clearing, with a tunnel, tyre-lined bends and a climbing tower nearby.

 

Engineering a Playful Experience

Aqualand designed and delivered a track with variety at its core — a practice area for beginners, a tunnel for thrills and a bridge for a sense of adventure. The layout gives confident young drivers room to explore while keeping the experience approachable for first-timers, so the same activity engages a wide range of ages and abilities.

At the heart of the installation are eight Crazi-Bugz: UK-designed and built, six-wheeled, all-electric off-road buggies engineered for continuous leisure operation. Onboard diagnostics and simple battery swap-out keep downtime to a minimum, while an operator kill switch supports safe, straightforward day-to-day running.

Support extended well beyond installation to include:

Operational guidance on safe track integration
Vehicle maintenance planning, with quarterly service visits
A refurbishment programme to extend the life of the fleet and maximise investment value

A Partnership Built to Last

Since delivery in 2021, the fleet has operated reliably through quarterly service visits and ongoing maintenance support — the kind of consistent care that keeps an attraction running smoothly and protects its long-term value. That reliable track record is exactly what made the later refurbishment so straightforward: a well-maintained fleet is a fleet worth investing in again.


"We really enjoy this partnership. Their track is so well designed that we often recommend it as a model to other operators. The team have looked after the vehicles exceptionally well over the past five years, making this refurbishment straightforward and highly effective."

- Aqualand Industries


Blue Aqualand wayfinding sign with a buggy icon, marking the Crazi-Bugz and climbing wall area in bilingual Welsh and English, beside a wooden gate at a woodland entrance.

 

A Refurbishment Rooted in Sustainability

Rather than replacing the fleet at the end of its first chapter, Welsh Water chose to refurbish it — extending its working life and getting more from the original investment. It’s a decision that makes commercial sense and reflects genuine environmental responsibility: an all-electric, low-emission fleet, given a second life rather than sent to waste.

The refurbished Crazi-Bugz are now ready for another chapter of family fun at the reservoir. The project highlights both sides of a sustainable attraction — extending asset life while reducing waste — and shows that the most environmentally responsible choice can also be the most cost-effective one.

Tangible Impact

Family appeal — varied track features suit cautious and confident drivers alike.
Longevity — refurbishment extended the life of the Crazi-Bugz fleet well beyond initial projections.
Operational strength — Welsh Water maximised the site’s potential without overburdening staff.
Sustainability — an all-electric fleet, refurbished rather than replaced, keeping emissions and waste low.

Supporting Long-Term Value

For reservoirs, country parks and visitor destinations alike, Llys-y-Frân demonstrates how a well-chosen, well-maintained attraction can deliver years of family fun while standing up to both commercial and environmental scrutiny. By combining engaging play, reliable operation and a sustainable approach to fleet life, the project supports Welsh Water’s ongoing strategy of offering memorable, family-focused experiences that bring visitors back time and again.

A child driving an all-electric Crazi-Bugz off-road buggy along a dirt track at Llys-y-Frân.

 

Explore what’s possible for your venue

For visitor attractions, holiday parks and outdoor destinations, Welsh Water shows how thoughtful design, dependable support and a sustainable approach to fleet life can turn a one-off purchase into a long-term asset.

If you’re exploring new ways to enhance your outdoor offer, talk to our commercial team to discuss how a tailored solution could work within your space.