A sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle comprises a main body with a debris receiving inlet, and a broom shroud with an open bottom. Airflow obstructing flaps are disposed around the bottom edge of the broom shroud. A forwardly feeing debris outlet in the broom shroud permits the directed egress of debris therefrom as a forwardly propelled stream of debris. A main sweeping broom is mounted within the broom shroud for propelling debris forwardly, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled forwardly through the forwardly facing debris outlet. An air blast nozzle is connected in fluid communication to a source of compressed air for receiving compressed air therefrom. There is a nozzle mount for mounting the air blast nozzle for movement between a lower position whereat the air blast nozzle is disposed adjacent the surface being cleaned and to emit air in a forward and downward direction to impact on the surface being cleaned, and a raised impact-absorbing position. There is also a biasing spring for biasing.