Carried holidays

[WOBBLY]

I recently had a transfer from one office to another, due to this I was unable to take a chunk of holidays and was told to 'carry' them over. I buy the extra days and have 6 weeks entitlement. Last year and the year before I was only allowed to book 4 of my 6 week entitlement. This year I've (shock horror) booked my 6 week entitlement but still have 29days outstanding! (I have the leave card to prove this) I've been told there is little chance of me being able to book any more than 5 days of the 29 left. Is this allowed? Can I claim payment back, instead of taking leave, from RM seen as I have purchased these extra days?

[fishtank]

Is this allowed? Can I claim payment back, instead of taking leave, from RM seen as I have purchased these extra days?

The leave purchase section of the Way Forward states...

In no circumstances may leave from the standard national entitlements be reduced, neither may un-taken leave or other time off in lieu be “sold” or converted into pay.

However..when you agree to the leave purchase scheme you enter into a contract with Royal Mail,if they are consistently denying you the opportunity to take that leave without a genuine and sound business reason they are failing to honour that contract.
Speak to your rep or area rep.