Close Period Share Repurchase Programme

27 January 2009

Ashtead Group plc

                    Close Period share repurchase programme                    

Ashtead Group plc ("Ashtead") announces that it has entered into irrevocable,
non-discretionary arrangements to enable the re-purchase of its own shares, for
putting into treasury, during its close period. These arrangements commence on
4 February 2009 and run up to and include the date on which the Board meets to
finalise the publication of Ashtead's quarterly reports for the quarter ending
31 January 2009 (currently expected to be 3 March 2009).

Any purchases will be effected within certain pre-set parameters, and in
accordance with both Ashtead's general authority to repurchase shares and
Chapter 12 of the Listing Rules which requires that the maximum price paid to
be limited to no more than 105 per cent 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 Ashtead confirms that it currently has no unpublished price sensitive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:

Ashtead Group plc
Ian Robson 0207 726 9700

Maitland
Brian Hudspith 0207 379 5151