Transaction in Own Shares

Ashtead Group PLC

14 February 2008

Ashtead Group plc ("the Company") announces that on 14 February 2008 it
purchased through UBS Limited, 378,390 ordinary shares at an average price of 
80.1753 pence per share. The highest price paid was 80.75 pence per share and
the lowest price paid was 79.5 pence per share.

The Company intends to hold these shares in Treasury.

Following the purchase of these shares, the Company holds 18,930,985 of its
shares in Treasury and has 542,641,741 shares in issue (excluding Treasury
shares).

This number (542,641,741) represents the total voting rights in the Company and
may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which
they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a
change to their interest in, Ashtead Group PLC under the FSA's Disclosure and
Transparency Rules.

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group PLC 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins