It is a long route. But you can go round under the railway bridge to avoid the underpass steps.
If the station manager finds that is an easier route to take our prams/baggage around to the PV side exit, that is fine by me.
In practice, it is such a long, dark, noisy and dirty detour, the vast majority having to cross the railway, fight their belongings (even bikes) up and down the pedestrian underpass stairs.
PS Am I right in thinking the reason the south circular underpass is so far from the station is that it made use of an natural 'valley' at that point (possibly the stream that ran down by London Rd cut it)?
Or was it the easiest way for the 'traffic' from the London Rd level to be gently dropped 12' to the Perry Vale level?