Acquisition

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                  ACQUISITION OF LUX TRAFFIC CONTROLS LIMITED                  

Ashtead Group plc, the equipment rental group serving principally the US and UK
non-residential construction markets, announces that its UK subsidiary Ashtead
Plant Hire Company Limited, which trades as A-Plant, has acquired Lux Traffic
Controls Limited ("Lux") for a consideration of £15.5 million.

Lux, which was established in 1966 by Laurence Lux, is a leading supplier of
traffic systems on a rental basis from a network of 44 locations throughout
Great Britain. In the year ended 31 July 2006, Lux reported revenues of 
£19.1million, EBITDA of £1.8 million and pre-tax profits of £0.9 million. The
book value of its net assets at 31 July 2006 was £4.6 million.

The acquisition consideration is subject to downwards only adjustment, on a
pound for pound basis, to the extent that net assets at 30 September 2006 are
less than £4.25 million. Lux's operations will be integrated with those of
A-Plant offering significant potential for back office cost savings. In
addition it is estimated that non-recurring employment and other costs relating
to the majority shareholders, Mr and Mrs Lux, who will not be joining A-Plant
amounted to £0.3 million in the year ended 31 July 2006.

Commenting on the acquisition George Burnett, chief executive of Ashtead Group
plc said:

"the acquisition of Lux, when combined with A-Plant's existing traffic systems
rental business, will make A-Plant the largest provider of traffic systems on a
rental basis in the UK and significantly extends our penetration of this
attractive market"

Sat Dhaiwal, chief executive of A-Plant, added:

"I am delighted to welcome the staff of Lux to A-Plant where traffic systems
rental will now form an important business within our Specialist division and
make us clear market leader with pro forma annual revenues in excess of £26m.
This acquisition forms part of our strategic plan to develop our Specialist
Product Division and to be a market leader in our chosen products."

Contacts:                                                                     
                                                                              
Cob Stenham               Non-executive chairman     020 7299 5562            
                                                                              
George Burnett            Chief executive            )                        
                                                                              
Geoff Drabble             Chief executive designate  ) 01372 362300           
                                                                              
Ian Robson                Finance Director           )                        
                                                                              
Brian Hudspith            Maitland                   020 7379 5151