Blocklisting - Interim Review

Ashtead Group plc

31st January 2006

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                                 BLOCK LISTING                                 

Name of scheme:                Ashtead Group plc Employee Share Option Scheme  
                                                                               
Class of Shares                Ordinary Shares of 10p                          
                                                                               
Period of return:              From: 29-01-01 To: 31-12-05                     
                                                                               
Number of shares not issued    2,802,999                                       
under schemes at end of last                                                   
period:                                                                        
                                                                               
Number of shares issued /      2,676,470                                       
allotted under schemes during                                                  
period:                                                                        
                                                                               
Balance under scheme not yet   126,529                                         
issued/allotted at end of                                                      
period                                                                         
                                                                               
Number of shares originally    125,000 on 4th February 1994                    
listed and the date of                                                         
admission                      205,000 on 6th September 1995                   
                                                                               
                               5,000,000 on 29th July 1997                     
                                                                               
Total number of shares in      402,879,845                                     
issue at the end of the period                                                 

Name of scheme:                Ashtead Group plc Unapproved Executive Share    
                               Option Scheme                                   
                                                                               
Class of Shares                Ordinary Shares of 10p                          
                                                                               
Period of return:              From: 29-01-01 To: 31-12-05                     
                                                                               
Number of shares not issued    4,990,000                                       
under schemes at end of last                                                   
period:                                                                        
                                                                               
Number of shares issued /      1,324,500                                       
allotted under schemes during                                                  
period:                                                                        
                                                                               
Balance under scheme not yet   3,665,500                                       
issued/allotted at end of                                                      
period                                                                         
                                                                               
Number of shares originally    5,000,000 on 29th July 1997                     
listed and the date of                                                         
admission                                                                      
                                                                               
Total number of shares in      402,879,845                                     
issue at the end of the period                                                 

Name of scheme:                Ashtead Group plc Savings Related Share Option  
                               Scheme                                          
                                                                               
Class of Shares                Ordinary Shares of 10p                          
                                                                               
Period of return:              From: 29-01-01 To: 31-12-05                     
                                                                               
Number of shares not issued    1,737,747                                       
under schemes at end of last                                                   
period:                                                                        
                                                                               
Number of shares issued /      494,394                                         
allotted under schemes during                                                  
period:                                                                        
                                                                               
Balance under scheme not yet   1,243,353                                       
issued/allotted at end of                                                      
period                                                                         
                                                                               
Number of shares originally    2,000,000 on 29th July 1997                     
listed and the date of                                                         
admission                                                                      
                                                                               
Total number of shares in      402,879,845                                     
issue at the end of the period                                                 

Contact: Eric Watkins, Legal Counsel & Company Secretary 01372 224773