Close Period Share Repurchase Programme

29 April 2008

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
30 April 2008 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 30 April 2008 (currently expected to be 23 June 2008).

Any acquisitions 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 Ashtead confirms that it currently has no unpublished price sensitive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 0207 726 9700

Eric Watkins