Director/PDMR Shareholding

Ashtead Group plc

6th March 2006

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                           Director's Share Purchase                           

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces that Sat Dhaiwal purchased 86 ordinary shares in
the Company on 1st March 2006 at a price of £2.21 per share as a result of the
pre-arranged investment of dividend payments.

Contacts:

Cob Stenham      Chairman            020 7299 5562
George Burnett   Chief Executive     01372 362300
Ian Robson       Finance Director    01372 362300