Potholes ...
 

now according to the link there is a north/south divide ... and the north is worst...

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Is there a North-South pothole divide?

They are saying that the weather is what causes the potholes .. and due to the north's worse weather for snow and ice thats why its worse in the north. Also please note lancashire is not in the top 10 ..

WORST REGIONS
Ayrshire - 14.05% of all cars
Northumberland - 13.84%
Renfrewshire - 13.58%
Angus - 13.36%
County Durham - 13.07%
Aberdeenshire - 11.6%
North Yorkshire - 11.21%
Warwickshire - 10.56%
Lanarkshire - 10.48%
Tyne and Wear - 10.23%

Source: Warranty Direct