Share Purchase

20th July 2006

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                                SHARE PURCHASE                                 

Ashtead Group plc (the "Company") has been advised by Mourant & Co Trustees
Limited, the trustee of the Ashtead Employee Benefit Trust (the "Trust"), that
it has purchased 1,583,060 ordinary shares of 10 pence in the capital of the
Company ("Shares") at a total cost of £2,499,998.43 (an average price of £
1.579219 per Share).

This brings the total number of Shares held by the Trust to 6,304,550 or 1.55%
of the Company's issued share capital.

The Shares held by the Trust may ultimately vest in executive directors and
senior managers under the Company's share option plans, Incentive Investment
Plan and/or Performance Share Plan.

Contacts:

Cob Stenham         Non-executive chairman                  020 7299 5562      
                                                                               
George Burnett      Chief Executive                         01372 362300       
                                                                               
Ian Robson          Finance Director