Brian, I agree the side gate staircase is not very safe, and the sooner they open the gate into the car park the better.
But compared with climbing up a double staircase, down a double staircase and then (if PV is in fact where you are going,) there is yet another double staircase to negotiate in the underpass, plus a few stairs, it is much much safer and convenient.
If the station manager thinks the situation is OK, perhaps he should volunteer to carry children, prams, heavy luggage etc from passengers on platform 2 - shouldn't take him a minute to run the various 'baggage' up and down the stairs. Part of the service really.