Pre-Close Update

Wincanton PLC
16 March 2006


For Immediate Release                                              16 March 2006


                                 Wincanton plc
                          ('Wincanton' or 'the Group')

                    Pre-Close Update and Actuarial Valuation


Pre close update

Wincanton today issues the following pre-close season update for the twelve
months ending 31st March 2006:

As anticipated at the half year, Wincanton will make good progress in the year
to 31st March 2006, with results in line with expectations. Our markets remain
highly competitive but the Group's development pipeline continues to give cause
for encouragement.

The promising levels of new business activity noted in the first half have been
sustained through the second half, particularly in the UK & Ireland. The
integration of our recent French acquisition has gone well and we are building
momentum in our Continental European operations.

Our ability to make net profit progress has again been dependent on the rate of
new business wins relative to contract losses and terminations. We expect the
new financial year to bring similar challenges, but the Group has significantly
enhanced its customer, service and geographic portfolio in recent years and is
well-placed to build further on its track record of growth.

Actuarial valuation

Wincanton has recently finalised, in consultation with the pension fund trustees
and scheme actuary, a series of measures to address both the actuarial past
service deficit and the level of future service cost of the Group's defined
benefit scheme, following the results of the triennial actuarial valuation as at
31st March 2005. The measures in respect of the cost of future service accrual
remain subject to consultation with employees.

An incremental cash contribution of £40m (approximately £28m net of corporation
tax) will be made in two instalments, one before the end of the current
financial year and the second early in the new financial year. Following the
up-front contribution, the actuarial past service deficit, which has increased
primarily as a consequence of increased longevity assumptions, will be
approximately £70m (approximately £49m net of deferred tax). The net cost of the
up-front contribution is expected to be substantially covered by a programme of
disposal of surplus freehold properties which began in 2005/06. The past service
deficit will be further addressed through an increase in incremental cash
contributions, with effect from April 2006, from £2m per annum currently to £8m
per annum.

The pensions charge to operating profit is expected to benefit progressively
from the measures proposed in respect of the costs of future service accrual,
although this is expected to be more than offset in 2006/07 by the impact of
increased longevity assumptions and the current very low levels of bond yields.

Graeme McFaull, Wincanton Group Chief Executive, commented:

'We expect the year to 31st March 2006 to be another year of progress for
Wincanton.

We are addressing the past service deficit of the Group's pension fund prudently
and progressively, through a combination of Wincanton's strong organic cashflow
and surplus asset disposals.

We remain confident in our ability to build further on the leading pan-European
business platform established in recent years.'


For further information please contact:

Wincanton plc
Graeme McFaull, Chief Executive                                    01249 710 000
Gerard Connell, Group Finance Director
Charles Carr, Group Marketing and Communications Director

Buchanan Communications
Charles Ryland / Jeremy Garcia                                     020 7466 5000



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