Directors' Dealings

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC


                            DEALINGS BY DIRECTORS

1)   NAME OF COMPANY

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

2)   NAME OF DIRECTOR

PHILIP ALBERT LOVEGROVE

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in
     respect of holding of the Director named in 2 above
     or holding of that person's spouse or children under
     the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest

DIRECTOR & PERSONAL SERVICES COMPANY

4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than
     one holder, the number of shares held by each of 
     them. (If notified)

P.A. LOVEGROVE + SPOUSE + PERSONAL SERVICES COMPANY, ETC  145,529

5)   Please state whether notification relates to a
     person(s) connected with the Director named in 2
     above and identify the connected person(s)

CONNECTED

6)   Please state the nature of the transaction. For
     PEP transactions please indicate whether
     general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non
     discretionary

MARKET PURCHASES

7)   Number of shares/amount of
     stock acquired

18,029

8)   (  %)
    NEGLIGIBLE
    of issued Class

9)   Number of shares/amount
     of stock disposed

N/A

10)  ( N/A %)
    of issued Class

11)  Class of security

10P ORDINARY SHARES

12)  Price per share

15,000 @ 157P
3029 @ 154.4P

13)  Date of transaction

21.07.99

14)  Date company informed

(LETTER DATED 22.07.99)
23.07.99

15)  Total holding following this notification

145,529

16)  Total percentage holding of issued class following 
     this notification      

0.045%

      IF A DIRECTOR HAS BEEN GRANTED OPTIONS BY THE COMPANY PLEASE COMPLETE 
                              THE FOLLOWING BOXES

17)  Date of grant

N/A

18)  Period during which or date on which exercisable

N/A

19)  Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option

N/A

20)  Description of shares or debentures involved:
     class, number.

N/A

21)  Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication
     that price is to be fixed at time of exercise

N/A

22)  Total number of shares or debentures over which
     options held following this notification

N/A

23)  Any additional information

N/A

24)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

R.E. CLARK 01372 377 991

25)  Name and signature of authorised company official
     responsible for making this notification
     R.E. Clark
     Date of Notification..23/07/99......................