Drainage Border Problem

Looking for some advice if there is any options to sort this other than installing a land drain?

Recently moved in, ground was waterlogged before but couldn't see the extent, I have had 5 single conifers removed and new Fence installed. A digger that took out the confiders has turning over the clay soil.

What I have done so far...

• Dug out a spades depth of the top layer clay and dumped this.
• Dug out a spades depth of clay again, broke this up and mixed with manure
• Back filled this
• Plan was to then add top soil to replace the top layer that was removed and dumped.

Then the rain came, this hasnt went down in 2 days now.

As you can see in the Photos the area I have tried to improved has a small pond, the area with the first 2 bushes was not touched other than digging in some plants moved from another area of the garden but was also a waterlogged area before, and the last photo with the bigger bush has no drainage issue and was like that previously.

You need to add slaked lime or plaster to the soil too, that helps to break down clay, but it does take time to open it up.
Or dig a hole through to below the clay, unless it is a really thick bed of clay? Then fill that with gravel and claked lime, that will allow the water to run below the clay.

I had a couple landscapers round to take a look, but no where to divert the water for drains. No point in a soakaway in clay, no ditch or watercourse to take this too. Only option is into the rainwater system but I'd need to ask for approval from the water company, but thats another topic of conversation.

They recommended getting someone in with a digger and clear out the whole border of clay, maybe about 3ft down back fill with fine gravel, hardcore, topsoil and organic matter. The issue I have is that if there is still clay below 3ft then I will still have the same problem. Am I right in this, or will the back filling be enough to help.

The surface water is still there that is in the photos and thats been nearly 1 week now!

I've had a spade, fork sunk into it with my wellies on trying the break it up and get under it, it makes a huge suction noise, bubbles and then nothing!

I am at a total loss as to what is best to do.