Close Period share re-purchase programme

Ashtead Group plc

4 February 2008

                               Ashtead Group plc                               

                   Close Period share re-purchase programme                    

Ashtead Group plc ("Ashtead") announces that it has entered into an
irrevocable, non-discretionary arrangement to enable the re-purchase of its own
shares, for putting into treasury, during its close period. The arrangement
commences on 4 February 2008 and runs up to an including the date on which the
Board meets to finalise the publication of the Ashtead's quarterly reports for
the quarter ending 31 January 2008 (currently expected to be 3 March 2008).

Any acquisitions will be effected within certain pre-set parameters and in
accordance with both Ashtead's general authority to re-purchase shares and
Chapter 12 of the Listing Rules which requires that the maximum price paid to
be limited to no more than 105 percent of the average middle market closing
price of Ashtead's shares for the 5 dealing days preceding the date of
purchase. Ashtead confirms that it currently has no unpublished price sensitive
information.

Further enquiries:

Eric Watkins, Legal Counsel Tel no: 020 7726 9740