Residents of Fitzroy Valley communities to the west of Martuwarra Fitzroy River are relying on personal boats or a twice-daily helicopter trip which can accommodate four people at a time to access basic services and the supermarket.

Hundreds of residents in communities separated from Fitzroy Crossing by the river have struggled to access the town since massive flooding in January gravely damaged the bridge into town.

This month two men, one aged 40 and one 20, have drowned attempting to swim across the river.

Executive chair of local business organisation Leedal Foundation, Patrick Green, told National Indigenous Times it is still difficult for residents west of the river to access vital services and get essential supplies.

"People have to rely on personal boats to get across as well. If they don't have access to one, they are really struggling," he said.

"I took Neil Thomson MP around and showed him the suffering, and every other politician that has visited; I told them the same."

Mr Thomson, the Liberal MLC for the Mining and Pastoral Region, told National Indigenous Times the recent deaths were "absolutely terrible".

"I think a lot more can be done. These tragedies should be motivation for the Minister for Transport to find an immediate alternative," he said.

"We have had nearly 60 days since the bridge was destroyed. There has been talk about a ferry or barge crossing, which has not bee deployed.

"Mr Patrick Green, a senior Bunuba man, since 14 January has called for a temporary pedestrian crossing to be built. It's not just about freight… And you can't police it and stop people from attempting to cross the river. After 4pm there is no means for them to cross as the helicopter is not available after that time."

The MP said "a lot of people" live on the west side of the river.

"I strongly encourage the government to look at alternatives very closely. A cable car or a temporary structure… I have spoken with an engineer who said a temporary pedestrian crossing wouldn't be that hard. The idea should be looked at as a matter of urgency."

Mr Thomson has raised the issue with questions in WA parliament's upper house on several occasions.

"I am sure others have taken the risk of crossing the river as well. It was inevitable we would have this tragic outcome, and more needs to be done before we have another tragedy," he said.

Earlier this week a Western Australian government spokesperson told National Indigenous Times that Main Roads is "working as fast as it can to deliver a new barge operation across the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River, however heavy rain and rising river levels continue to hamper the efforts of crews on the ground".

"Last week, Main Roads received approval on appropriate locations to build the barge infrastructure on the western side, and that work is now underway. It's expected the first barge service, which will be able to transport groups of people and individual vehicles, will be operational within the next one to two weeks, pending ongoing weather conditions."

The spokesperson said the government is not pursuing a pedestrian walkway across the river as it would be a significant undertaking and incredibly difficult to achieve with the current river conditions.

"Development work for construction of two, temporary low-level crossings over the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River is underway. These crossings will be used during the dry season to provide connectivity for locals and the broader Kimberley community," he said.

"It is hoped that both the low-level crossings and access roads will be completed by May 2023, however this will be dependent on the future rainfall and river conditions. Essential goods continue to be delivered into flood affected areas by aircraft and barge to ensure that communities on the eastern side of the river have access to supplies."

On Tuesday a state government spokesperson confirmed that helicopter trips to get people across the river, which can be booked through Fitzroy Crossing resource centre Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation, can accommodate four people at a time and are run twice daily.