A war of words between politicians has prevented the speed limit along a key Brisbane road from being lowered to 40km/h, despite concerns from all sides about pedestrian and traffic safety.

More than 50,000 vehicles a day travel in and out of Brisbane on Ipswich Road through the south-western suburb of Annerley, which has a 60km/h speed limit.

Residents want the speed limit reduced through Annerley along Ipswich Road. Credit:Google Maps

For years, residents and independent councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson) have been calling for a speed reduction to as low as 40km/h as the road slices through Annerley in the wake of numerous incidents and near-misses.

But the council says it cannot refer the issue to the state government's speed management committee as the request will not meet the committee's guidelines for a speed reduction.