Although this normally means that they are obliged to have a consultation with the public, but have already decided what they are actually going to do.
I would have thought concrete tunnel sections to enclose the line and protect it from sea and rock fall would be more practical, but then they would have to close the line down.
As to taking away over 50% of Teignmouth beach that doesn't really bother them and the contractors make a small fortune.
As for 'protecting the railway for generations to come' I think that is a bit of a stretch of the truth.
I believe Teignmouth will suffer during the period that the work will cover.